Coach Phil Davies praised Blair Cowan for an ‘excellent’ debut as the new Number Eight impressed throughout the 41-14 LV= Cup defeat to Saracens at Vicarage Road.
Cowan made his club debut in Watford had played a prominent early role as Warriors opened up a 14-13 lead before a final quarter surge from the Londoners saw them claim cup victory.
The Forwards Coach also believes the experiment to play Joe Carlisle at inside centre in the clash had been beneficial going forward.
“I thought Blair was excellent,” he added. “In all aspects of the game, his control at the base of the scrum, his ball carrying and his industry in defence to get around and make tackles.
“I was pleased and when he came off he was a bit tired, but he showed up really well for a first game.
“I thought it was good to see Joe play at 12,” added Davies. “I thought Danny Gray played quite well at 10 and we had a lot of intent to attack, that was the idea prior to the match.
“Joe played nicely but maybe we didn’t utilise the left and right footed kicking options that we had as we could have. Joe is maturing into a good player at this level and that is good for us.”
Davies also believes the battle for the wing shirts at Sixways is intensifying with Tom Arscott pushing his claims with a superb solo try in the first half.
“Tom’s try was off some good defence, we stopped them with their runners and it was a well worked try. You have to give Tom real credit for finishing it as well as he did,” added Davies.
“Tom and Josh are pushing for more starts. They have been unlucky with the form of Miles (Benjamin) and Marcel (Garvey) this season, but Tom and Josh have kept performing on the pitch and with their application in training.
“It gives us a little bit of a headache when it comes to selection when we go back into the Aviva Premiership next month.”
“I thought Blair was excellent, in all aspects of the game. His control at the base of the scrum, his ball carrying and his industry in defence to get around and make tackles…