Director of Rugby Alan Solomons spoke to the media today ahead of Saturday’s Premiership Rugby Cup match at Bath (kick-off 3.00pm).
Here’s what Alan had to say:
On beating Leicester
- It was a good start and very positive all round for us
- It was our first game for some time and it gave us the opportunity to give game time to some of the younger players and those, like Ashley Beck, Jono Lance and Ryan Bower, who did not play much last season because of injuries
- To put into perspective, Leicester sent out a very young side but there were plenty of positives for us
On facing Bath
- There is no doubt this will be tougher;
1. Because we are playing at Bath and
2. We expect Bath to send out a reasonably strong side - Every club will do what suits them best to prepare for the start of the Premiership but I would guess that Bath will play a reasonably strong outfit against us
On selection
- We said that we would give everyone who is fit and available game time in the first two cup games to give them the chance to compete for places
- After this match we will review the first two games in context and see what do for games three and four
Injuries
- Dean Hammond has come through the protocols having failed a Head Injury Assessment against Leicester. But he would not have played this weekend anyway as he played last weekend
- Melani Nanai is fit, he’s available and he is going to play. He’s settled in really well, he’s gelled well with the other players and he’s a class player
- Marco Mama is fine. The complications he suffered to a dead leg came at the end of last season which is some time ago. He’s fit and ready to go
- Jono Kitto suffered an abductor muscle injury in training before the Leicester match.
- Matt Moulds is making good progress from the keyhole surgery he had on his knee injury.
- Francois Venter is not that far away with his calf injury but we want to be conservative with him.
On Warriors players in the Rugby World Cup
- Really pleased for Ed Fidow scoring two tries on his World Cup debut for Samoa against Russia
- It was great to have Ed here for a few weeks, he’s a really nice guy and he can play – the experience and exposure will be good for him.
- Joe Taufete’e will look forward to playing for USA against England. It will be a tough challenge for USA but Joe will not hold back. It’s great to see him playing on the world stage