Director of Rugby Alan Solomons spoke to the media today ahead of Friday’s European Challenge Cup match against Enisei-STM in Krasnodar.
Here’s what Alan had to say:
On beating Harlequins
- We played really well and we managed the game well in difficult conditions.
- We didn’t start particularly well but we clawed our way back into the match and Jono Lance’s penalty on the stroke of half-time was vital because it meant we were only five points down.
- If you look at the game as a whole we had five penalties to their ten, we turned the ball over 13 times, they turned it over 20 times. In terms of territory and possession we had the better of the game and we deserved to win.
On the first four Gallagher Premiership matches
- We would have liked to have got the win against Exeter but nine points is a decent return from four games. But there is still a long way to go in the season.
- We were missing a number of players who would have come into consideration against Harlequins so to play as well as we did speaks volumes for the strength in depth we have in the squad.
On facing Enisei
- It’s an opportunity for rotation and give opportunities to some of the players who haven’t played recently and to rest those who have been playing.
- It’s about not only keeping the squad playing but keeping the squad fresh. We also have to take into consideration that it’s only a six-day turn-round from Harlequins.
- We don’t know a lot about Enisei but we know that they are one of the top clubs in Russia. They are likely to be a physical side.What is your travel schedule like?
- We will leave Sixways at 4pm on Wednesday and we travel overnight. We are due to get to our hotel in Krasnodar at lunchtime on Thursday.
- We will have a team run at the stadium on Thursday afternoon to get the journey out of our legs and then we are flying straight back after the match.
- We have a flight at 1am on Saturday morning and we are due back at Sixways around 3.30 on Saturday afternoon.
- It’s not ideal but it’s long, long trip and it’s the best way that we could do it.
Injuries
- Chris Pennell is recovering from his lacerated thigh and he is due to train on Wednesday.
- Ryan Mills and Duncan Weir will also be back in training on Wednesday and we hope they will be available for the match at Castres next week.
- Matt Moulds has been back in training this week.
- Nick Schonert has been back in training this week. Nick has recovered well from his knee ligament injury which is a credit to him and our medical and conditioning staff.
- Francois Hougaard will continue his rehabilitation from his shoulder injury at Sixways while we are away in Russia.
- Andrew Kitchener has recovered from his infected thumb and he will come into consideration this weekend.
- Marco Mama took a blow to his right leg on the same spot that he suffered the dead leg towards the end of last season. He suffered some internal bleeding and has seen a specialist who says that there is nothing untoward. It’s roughly a six week injury but we hope Marco will be back sooner.