Alan Solomons spoke to the media ahead of the Premiership Rugby Cup match against Leicester Tigers at Sixways (kick-off 3.00pm).
Here’s what Alan had to say:
On facing Leicester
- It’s the first game of the season and pretty much all the clubs are using these cup matches as preparation for the Gallagher Premiership
- Whatever team clubs put out will be a good team because there is such strength in depth
- The players will be keen to get into the season after a long pre-season
Is it a chance to assess Leicester before the opening Premiership match next month?
- I think we have a reasonable idea about Leicester already as I am sure they have about us
- For us Saturday’s match is more about our performance and focusing on our own game rather than analysing Leicester
Any clues about selection for Saturday?
- In our first two games most of the senior squad will be involved and possibly some of the Academy boys as well
- Unless there is a specific reason for not selecting someone everyone will get some decent game time
On last weekend’s Premiership Rugby Sevens
- The feedback I have had has been very positive. We took a young squad to Northampton with quite a few Academy players in there and they acquitted themselves well.
Injuries
- Marco Mama is fully fit and back in training but we are likely to hold him back until next week
- Ryan Bower suffered a very unfortunate injury at Saracens last season which ruled him out for the rest of the season. He is fully fit now and we will bleed him back into the team through the bench
- Francois Venter has a calf injury so he won’t be considered for selection this week
- Matt Moulds took a bang to a knee in the training camp we had in Spain. He had keyhole surgery on Monday to have the injury cleaned out. He’s been back in today to receive treatment