Mike Ruddock has urged Warriors to continue to improve after the super Sale show – insisting his team can hit higher heights when they face Leicester Tigers at Sixways Stadium on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).
Warriors recorded a first league win of the season away from home at Edgeley Park last time out to move away from the foot of the Guinness Premiership.
However, Director of Rugby Ruddock believes there is still much more to come from his team and wants them to aim higher when they face high-flying Leicester on home soil.
“The boys were very upbeat after the Sale victory and there has been a real spring in the step this week,” he said.
“But we can still improve on that display, we showed the team the Sale debrief and there were a number of areas that we need to get better that. In terms of attacking patterns and defensive structure it is still work in progress, we will get better.
“Leicester Tigers have a fantastic squad and have real quality. They have always been up at the top of the league and the guys they have available to them are all top players. It will be a difficult game.”
Ruddock admitted he was disappointed that prop Chris Horsman was unable to make his comeback after five months out with a bicep injury against Tigers.
But the Sixways supremo insisted he wanted to keep his winning side together after such a fantastic display in the last fixture.
“We were very excited about welcoming Chris back but unfortunately he has had an ongoing ankle problem and he has tweaked that so is out,” said Ruddock.
“James Brown has been doubtful with a back problem and Darren Morris and Loki Crichton are still suffering the impact of stingers.
“But we are looking to keep the same side and give the boys a real vote of confidence.
“It would be difficult to tap someone of the shoulder after the display at Sale that they are out. They all deserve to keep their places because no team had won at Sale in the league this season.”
Ruddock is also likely to retain Shane Drahm after his heroics at Sale and insisted he had no fears about the performances of the players expected to leave at the end of this season.
“Shane really proved that he wants to go out with a bang with his performance against Sale Sharks. His time out of the first team seems to have refocused him,” he added.
“Players like Thinus Delport and Drew Hickey are also set to leave but Thinus is the ultimate professional and Drew has enjoyed his time at Worcester and wants to go out on a high.”