Ryan – Confidence has come a long way

Warriors will be up against French outfit Oyonnax this Saturday in the final Amlin Challenge Cup game of the season at Sixways (3pm kick-off).

And Director of Rugby Dean Ryan insists the confidence of his side has come a long way since the two teams met back in October, where a last-minute penalty from Conrad Barnard denied Warriors victory in a 9-9 draw.

He said: “When we played over there we were lacking confidence and we couldn’t see the game out.

“It will be interesting to see what has changed since because in terms of having confidence, we have made a considerable leap and hopefully we will see that this weekend.”

The French outfit have a formidable home record but have lost every Top 14 and Amlin Challenge Cup match away from Stade Charles Mathon this season.

And Ryan is aware of their contrasting home and away fortunes.

He recognised: “They’ve beaten almost everyone at home although they don’t travel well, but we haven’t performed as well as we’d have liked to either.

“We will be looking for a good performance this weekend and members of the team will want to keep putting markers down so they will be considered for Premiership selection.

“Hopefully that will drive us on and improve performances going forward.”

After Paul Warwick suffered a neck injury last weekend at Sale, Warriors are left in short supply in the number ten position going into the clash with Oyonnax.

But the former England number-eight believes centre Josh Matavesi is more than capable of playing at fly-half.

He added: “Josh can slot in at 10 as he has played for Fiji in that position. He’s a maverick-type player and I quite like him operating at 12 but at 10 he might be able to offer something different.

“He is a great kicker and he understands the game well but he has to get the balance right between his own personal ability to influence a game and the requirements to steer a ship.”

Warriors travel to Portugal next week for a mid-season training camp and Ryan insists it is much-needed for his side due to the weather affecting their usual training surfaces.

He explained: “We haven’t been on a grass pitch for two-and-a-half weeks because of the effects of the weather.

“In Portugal we will have guaranteed surfaces which can’t be provided in the conditions we have here at the moment.

“The training camp is about aiding performance, getting better and getting this group in the best condition they can be.

“Hopefully we will come back confident and feeling that we have the best chance of having a crack at what lies ahead for the rest of the season.”


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