Warriors refuse to throw in Euro towel

Richard Hill insisted his Warriors would not give up on Amlin Challenge Cup qualification despite opening day defeat to last year’s runners-up Stade Francais on home soil.

Warriors jet out to Italy next week for the second game of the competition knowing they must beat Banca Monte Crociati to keep the pressure on star-studded Stade.

However, Hill stated that Worcester would not take the foot off the gas in a bid to make the knockout stages.

“You never know and we will keep going at it and try and get as many bonus points as we can,” he said.

“If Stade Francais slip up, over in Parma or Bucharest, then we have got to capitalise. But, to be fair, they were really on it tonight and got stuck into us after the first 30 minutes.

“We will go out with a slightly different set of players to Italy next weekend and those lads are looking forward to it,” he added.

“We will rest a few of the front liners, but it gives a fantastic opportunity for some more younger lads to make an impression.

“Chris Pennell has come in and taken this opportunity tonight and played very well, Matt Kvesic has had a chance and done well, Oliver Tomaszczyk has stepped up to the plate.

“We have a lot of other players who will be desperate to go out to Parma and get five points. We will do what we can and see what Stade Francais do.

“The team that will play Sale Jets on Monday will be close to the team that is going to go into Parma, with a few changes.

“This group of players has had nine games on the trot and have done a job. This other group now need attention and a lot of work in terms of attack and defence to get them up to speed.”


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