Forwards Coach Phil Davies was delighted to keep the club’s European dream alive as nine-try Worcester Warriors crushed Italians Banca Monte Crociati 55-10 in the Amlin Challenge Cup on Saturday.
Errie Claassens (2), Alex Grove, Andy Goode, Tom Arscott, Josh Drauniniu, Ollie Hayes, Ben Gulliver and Miles Benjamin were the try scorers as Warriors piled up the points for a bonus point win in Pool 1.
The result leaves Warriors just four points behind pool leaders Stade Francais and sets up a potential winner-takes-all clash in Paris next Saturday night (kick-off 8.45pm local time).
“It was a good performance. To score 50 points in any game is a good effort,” said Davies.
“We made some changes from last week so we were pleased that we got the four tries for the bonus to go to Paris next week with something to play for.
“The scoreboard would suggest it was a successful day. It is important that we kept the momentum going and consistency week in and week out. But it is also important to give people in the group opportunities to play.
“We have a strong squad management process we go through, it can always be flexible, but today was all about getting game time and the right result.”
Davies did, however, praise the Italian visitors for a determined display that was rewarded with a second half penalty try.
“When we went over to Italy – when we could see the game before the fog – Parma are a well drilled team and they do well in their own competition,” he added.
“They have a good coach and they played well with a strong set piece, which is normally the case with Italian teams. They win ball and will cause you problems if you allow them to.
“You are never going to be completely happy and sometimes, when the players don’t play week in and week out, it can be tough. But overall we did well and we put some good stuff together.
“Yes, there were some frustrations with the penalty try, but we brought people on and they made an impact. We turned them over in the scrum on a couple of occasions and got a try off it towards the end.”
“It was a good performance. To score 50 points in any game is a good effort…"