Press Conference Notes 12.09.18

Press Conference Notes

Director of Rugby Alan Solomons spoke to the media today ahead of Saturday’s Gallagher Premiership match at Sixways against Newcastle Falcons (kick-off 3pm).

Here’s what he had to say:

Sale Sharks and Wasps reaction

  • We haven’t got the results we’d have liked to and the result we should have got against Wasps.
  • Our first-half execution wasn’t good against Sale but we showed great resilience and had an opportunity to win that game at the end.
  • It was a game of two halves. Our problem in the first-half was that we made too many errors which saw us buried in our half.
  • The intensity comes from the way you train. The focus is on being more clinical and you have to make sure ball security is good.
  • The margins at this level are very fine. We’ve landed just on the wrong side a couple of times. If we are more clinical we will end up on the right side, we just have to finish opportunities.

Newcastle Falcons

  • They have had a lot of stability and continuity with the same core players and coaches over a period of time and that makes a huge difference.
  • You can see the benefit and they fully deserved their top-four finish last year.
  • This is a big block of six games and we’ll take it one game at a time.
  • Our focus is on getting performance right and limiting our opponents’ chances.

Team and selection news

  • We are optimistic that Francois Hougaard will be available but we’ll make a decision later in the week.
  • Jonny Arr is an experienced player and Michael Heaney played well when he came on against Sale so we have competition.
  • Cornell du Preez is still in Birmingham with his partner getting support and we are waiting to hear from the surgeon whether further surgery is needed.
  • The support has been great but it’s been tough for him. We are hoping the next report is positive and he turns a corner.
  • Ben Te’o is back in training and took part today. He is not quite ready yet though.
  • Jack Singleton is back into it and is pretty close to playing after a neck issue.
  • Ethan Waller (shoulder) is not far off as is Anton Bresler (groin). They should be returning over the next couple of weeks.
  • Wynand Olivier – He’s been to see a specialist. We are pretty positive he will return shortly.

Cavaliers’ win over Leicester Tigers

  • Carl Kirwan is over the moon after coming through 40 minutes unscathed. He had a tough time out but now he needs game-time.
  • The lads played well on Monday, in particular Ted Hill, the front row including Farai Mudariki off the bench and Gareth Milasinovich. It was good to see and for them to get the bonus-point win away.

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