Warriors Women flanker Taz Bricknell wants her side to turn their strengths into superpowers ahead of the visit of Harlequins Women for Saturday’s first Tyrrells Premier 15s match of the season at Sixways (kick-off 2.00pm).
The 21-year-old made her debut in the defeat to Wasps on Saturday following her summer arrival from Gloucester-Hartpury but was left encouraged by Warriors’ display in the first half-hour.
Bricknell, who has been appointed as Assistant Coach of University of Worcester Women, also knows that Warriors will need to be at their best when last season’s finalists Quins come to Sixways.
“There were positives, especially in the first 30 minutes, we gave Wasps a run for their money and kept them pinned in their 22,” she said.
“It was really good for us as a club to show to the other teams that we’re not the same team as last year, we’ve gone away and improved.
“We’re working really hard to keep improving and I think that will show as the season progresses. We want to turn our strengths into superpowers.”
It will also be a special day for Bricknell who will be making her home debut for Warriors if selected, with her excitement clear for all to see.
“I’m really looking forward to it, it’s going to be really good playing here at home,” she added, “some of my family are coming up to watch too.
“It will be really good to wear the Worcester shirt at the stadium for the first time, I’m really looking forward to it.”
Quins, the early-season pacesetters, promise to present a tough challenge to Warriors, but Bricknell, capped five times by England Under-20s, believes her side has the capability to cause them problems.
“Our attack was really strong against Wasps, it was just the last passes and catches and when to give the pass. But those will be things that we go through in training,” she said.
“We’re bringing our squad together. The forwards are coming together to work on how to protect our players on the floor and working on those pods.
“They’ve got some strong jackallers so we need to work hard to keep them out. It’s always good to look at the team. We know they have strength in depth with strong forwards and strong backs.
“But I think if we predominantly focus on them, we’re not going to focus on us, so going forward I think we really need to focus on the things we did well.”