Boss closing in on first team selection

Richard Hill revealed he was closing in on his first team of the new league season against Birmingham & Solihull this Saturday – admitting the defeat against Scarlets had helped clear his thoughts on selection.

Warriors suffered a 43-14 defeat at Parc y Scarlets and Head Coach Hill revealed several players had pushed their way into his plans for the opener with Bees on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).

“The game in Wales was what I needed, there is no point having three games and they are all easy. Then I have got to pick 22 and it is very hard,” he said.

“There is more work ahead for us and the Scarlets game brought to the top the players that are in good shape and coped with the pace of the game.

“It has also shown that some of the players are not quite there yet, for various reasons like little niggling injuries or not done as much pre-season as others.

“Now, after that game, it has become much, much clearer to me. One or two have fought their way into contention. I am not going to name names, but I had pencilled a team in for next week and two or three have put their hands up and forced their way in.

“I very pleased with how pre-season has gone,” he added. “We have had unfortunate injuries to Matt Mullan and Chris Pennell, that aside we have come through the last game unscatched.

“We had two games to get the attack and then the game in Wales to get our heads on defence. It has been a positive pre-season.

“It was always going to be hard to come to Scarlets and beat them on their own patch at this stage. But it gives me plenty to work on next week.”

Warriors face Birmingham & Solihull in the RFU Championship opener this Saturday at Sixways! For match tickets call the Warriors Box Office on 01905 454183 or click HERE


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