Tigers capitalised on ill-discipline – Boss

Boss Mike Ruddock admitted Warriors failed to build on an encouraging first half display as they lost out 39-18 to league leaders Leicester at Sixways Stadium.

Willie Walker returned from injury with a confident kicking display as Worcester trailed 13-12 at the interval and dominated territory for long periods.

But an impressive second half show from Tigers – with England fly half Toby Flood contributing 24 points – saw them secure another league win.

“The final score hurt us, but I’ve no complaints as Leicester were the more clinical team,” said Ruddock.

“They capitalised on some of our ill discipline. For 60 minutes there was nothing in it. Up until then I was proud of the way we competed.

“There was a wind out there and in the first-half we needed to stop them taking opportunities while it was at our back. Willie kicked his goals superbly and we really needed to keep a clean sheet, but that didn’t happen and they took their try well off a scrum.

“They kept in touch and knocked over a couple of penalties to go in ahead at the break. I thought we’d played all the rugby and our boys were enterprising. We forced Leicester to ask a lot of questions of themselves in that first-half.

“We didn’t nail down our try-scoring opportunities, but felt confident at half-time. There was only one point in it until their scrum-half made the crucial break around the 50-minute mark.

“Against a top of the table team and a tough wind, that made field position difficult, it was difficult to come back. They turned the screw and punished us as we knew they would if we put them in that position.

“For 60 minutes, I thought we looked really good and, in fairness, we were right in the game until Ben Youngs made that break.”


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