Director of Rugby Alan Solomons spoke to the media today ahead of Saturday’s clash with Wasps at the Ricoh Arena.
Here’s what he had to say:
Newcastle performance
- The benefits came off the back of the hard work.
- We didn’t let the try at half-time affect us. We showed tremendous resolve and character and dominated possession and territory.
- The scrum and lineout functioned really well and we contested the lineout well so it was very pleasing.
- Both sets of half-backs did well and all replacements made a valuable contribution.
Marco Mama
- Marco Mama is a great player with leadership qualities.
- It was a really good first hit out for him in his first Premiership game for a long time.
Wasps preview
- There are no easy games in the Premiership and Wasps are a quality top-four side.
- We have to perform well and I expect there will be a lot of movement in the game.
- They play with a lot of pace and width and have some x-factor players.
Injury and selection news
- Jackson Willison is fine and fit for the weekend.
- Francois Hougaard is coming on leaps and bounds but is not training yet. He will be assessed on Thursday. We will do the right thing by the player.
- Ethan Waller should be fit for the weekend.
- Ryan Bower played very well against Newcastle. Both he and Ethan are fantastic players. They are very good team men and we are fortunate to have them both at Sixways.
Worcester Cavaliers
- It’s great that they’ve finished the season so well with two big wins and it is fantastic for the Club to see these young guys playing so well.
Sam Olver
- There is an opportunity for him at Ealing Trailfinders and he is a player that needs to start week in week out. I think the move will be good for his career.
Duncan Weir
- I’m really pleased to sign him. He’s familiar with the Club, even though it was for a very short period.
- He is very experienced and a good game manager while he can kick well at goal.
- You need depth at ten and I think we have it. It’s vital to have strength in depth in a key position.
Goal-kicking next season
- Duncan Weir is a good goal-kicker as is Scott van Breda, Jono Lance, Chris Pennell and Jamie Shillcock.
- It’s an area that’s very important and we’ll be working hard on it.
Consistency
- I believe that the more people play together then the better they play.
- It’s good to have a strong thread of consistency.
Ben Te’o
- Ben came straight in from the 6 Nations and needed to fit back in and get used to the different combinations.
- He will continue to improve as he is a quality player.
- It’s great to have him in the side and he is a consummate professional.
- I have no doubt he will add value to the team and I look forward to seeing him in action this weekend.
Meanwhile, Ben Te’o confirmed that he will “100 per cent” be at the Club next season.