Boss Mike Ruddock has ordered his Worcester Warriors to continue to play with ambition as they prepare for three huge Guinness Premiership games that will decide the club’s destiny.
Worcester showed invention to take the lead against London Irish last weekend before a stray offload as they ran from deep handed the visitors a crucial way back into the game.
However, Director of Rugby Ruddock insists his team must play their way out of trouble and will continue to encourage them as they welcome London Wasps to Sixways Stadium this Saturday (kick-off 3pm).
“I have spoken to the players about not losing our ambition to play,” he said. “But what we need to do is make some better decisions and when and where we go offload under pressure.
“I don’t want to stop the players offloading, but we must make better decisions because what could be a winning pass could be picked off by the opposition.
“My philosophy is we play. What I have seen is this team has constantly challenged themselves to try and play rugby.
“The days of trying to kick the ball down the other end and just survive by winning penalties are gone, particularly now we have more empathy back with the attacking team in the tackle area.
“If we just kick the ball back to the likes of Paul Sackey and Tom Varndell this Saturday they will run it back to you and take you on. Wasps have pace to burn in the back line.
“If we are going to kick we either need to put it off the field or we have to put it into space and challenge it. We have got to have a measured kicking game and also run back at them. We need balance in our game.
“My view is that you have got to play your way out of trouble. If you just go out with a football formation and just try and keep a clean sheet you will get beaten by the better team. We have got to be prepared to play.”
Tickets to watch Warriors face London Wasps remain on sale from the Warriors Box Office on 01905 454183 or by clicking the online Tickets section at www.warriors.co.uk