Richard Hill called on his Worcester Warriors not to dwell on derby day defeat to Gloucester – but warned they would have to improve before they face reigning champions Saracens at Vicarage Road next Sunday.
Worcester suffered a first defeat of the Aviva Premiership campaign at Kingsholm and now face another difficult away trip to the capital next weekend.
Hill acknowledged the Warriors must learn the lessons of the performance at Gloucester. However, he remains confident that the team can bounce back if they can improve their work at the breakdown.
He said: “We are all very frustrated and annoyed because it is a defeat in the Premiership. But you have got to keep a calm head and go through it and work out why you have lost. There is plenty to work on now.
“We have got to be better at the breakdown because Saracens are very good at it. Today we got outmuscled at every breakdown by Gloucester and they were more physical than us.
“Saracens are probably the best team in the league at the breakdown so if we don’t get that right next week we are going to struggle to make use of any possession we do get.
“This defeat is a reality check,” he added. “It is fast and furious in the Aviva Premiership and you have got to be a lot sharper when you come away from home.
“We have had a lesson today and we are all frustrated and disappointed. We really felt we had a chance of winning this one, but we have not performed at our best at all.
“You have got to take your opportunities and we had several chances at their line to score and they produced some terrific defence. But we have got to be better and take your goal kicks when you get the chance.”