Back-row Richard de Carpentier was delighted to be back on the playing field as Warriors drew 9-9 at French outfit Oyonnax.
But the flanker admitted that it was a bittersweet return, as his side were leading for most of the game before conceding a penalty with the last kick of the game, which Conrad Barnard slotted to secure a 9-9 draw for Oyonnax.
He said: “It was great to get back in the team and I really enjoyed it but it’s a bittersweet feeling to come here and get a result especially as Toulon and Clermont have come here and got nothing.
“I’m happy with the draw but just gutted we couldn’t hold out at the end and get that first win.”
It was a testing evening under the floodlights in Oyonnax, where the rain and wind made unpleasant conditions for Warriors to get their European campaign up and running.
But De Carpentier insisted that the hard work of the forwards was key to getting a result.
“Any game in France is tough and we were up against it with the conditions. The fact we didn’t concede a try was a testament to the lads as we were hanging around our line for periods of the game but we held strong.
“The defence has been criticised recently but we have worked hard on it in training and against Oyonnax we showed we can defend well.
“I think it shows a good team ethos when we pushed them back like we did, as they threw everything at us and still had no tries to show for it.”
De Carpentier had missed the start of the Aviva Premiership season because of injury but the 23-year-old now sets his targets on a regular spot in the Warriors starting 15.
He added: “The coaches have been bringing me back slowly as they didn’t want to take any risks and I’ve been gagging to get on the field.
“Hopefully I can push on now as I want to maintain my place in the team whether it’s at eight or six, but we have Leonardo Senatore coming into the side who will provide competition in the back-row.
“It’s good to have competition and I want to push the boys for a regular place and if I’m not involved then I want to make sure the level of training is up and we evolve to improve performances on the field to bring us up the table.”