Director of Rugby Mike Ruddock admitted ‘the win was everything’ after his Warriors secured a 27-6 win over Bourgoin in the European Challenge Cup to take control of Pool 3.
Worcester bounced back from defeat last week in France to claim a vital victory that puts them in control of the destiny of the group with two home games to come next year.
The cup clash was played in difficult conditions after heavy storms overnight made the pitch very wet underfoot and controlling the ball difficult.
But Warriors chief Ruddock was just pleased to claim four points and warm-up for the crunch Bristol game next weekend with a crucial win.
“The win was everything,” he said. “There was some doubt about the game going ahead first thing this morning with so much standing water so we knew it was going to be an arm wrestle and battle in the conditions.
“I said to the boys before the game and at half-time it is a game of field position, territory and pressure. We wanted to create pressure until we got that breakthrough and we got that second half when Sammy scored that try after they messed up and dropped the ball.
“That saw us put more pressure on and Aleki got the second try, but in fairness to Bourgoin they were a stubborn and determined bunch and their defence for 60 minutes was very sound and solid.
“It was very difficult to take the ball wide and take them on with footwork because the surface was so bad. It was really about kicking and applying pressure.”
Worcester had leaked two tries last week in the south of France but there was no repeat this time as they slammed the door shut and scored two of their own courtesy of Sam Tuitupou and Aleki Lutui.
“I was pleased that we didn’t concede a try,” admitted Ruddock. “We gave two away last week and, no disrespect to Bourgoin, but they were our own mistakes and our errors that allowed them to score. They took advantage of us last week and executed well.
“You could say the same about today, they made a few errors in the lead up to the tries as they allowed us to turn the ball over and capitalise. It was payback for us.
“It was very going to be pretty on a day like this and it was just about not conceding and putting heat on them until we got the breakthrough try.”
The only negative for Warriors was wing Rico Gear taken off injured but Ruddock revealed he is confident he will return for the Bristol match next week.
Ruddock said: “It was frustrating to see Rico limp off. In fairness he had looked sharp and had got himself into the attacking line.
“It was slippery under-foot with a real difficult surface and unfortunately he felt a groin muscle. We took him off straight away rather than leave him trying to run it off. We took the view that with the importance of next week we would get him off and get our medical team to get it right for next Saturday.
“What it did provide was the opportunity to get Hal Luscombe on the pitch. He hasn’t played any rugby for seven months and he looked a little bit under prepared with his running style from the lad I remember. But I guess after a serious knee injury he has had and no rugby it was always going to look that way. But he will be pleased to have got on and contributed.
“I was only looking to give him 20 minutes at the end so it was more than we planned. But he is a quality player and I guess what he lacks in preparation and match hardness he will make up for with his experience. It is great to see him back on the pitch.
“I felt Eoghan Hickey did well for us. He looked very assured and he brings a lot of experience from his time in Ireland, it was a bonus ball for us to get him on the field and see him fit in to what we do.
“We also gave him the last ten minutes at 10 because obviously we need an option there to pressurise our current fly half, it was important to give him time there. He also took over the kicking. Joe kicked well but going into the last round of league games what we don’t want to do is suddenly give him a kick with everything hinging on it. We felt the game was won and dropping him into that situation was needed.”