Director of Rugby Alan Solomons spoke to the media today ahead of Saturday’s Gallagher Premiership match against London Irish at Sixways (kick-off 3.00pm).
Here’s what Alan had to say:
On the defeat at Gloucester
- It was still evenly poised with 20 minutes to go but the tipping point was the yellow card for Ryan Mills as they scored three tries while he was off the field. That made it 22-3 and the game was gone.
- Some of our decision-making could have been better but we gave away 15 penalties to Gloucester’s six and we also had 14 turnovers and a lot of them were in attack.
- You have got to have a laser-like focus. You can’t expect to build pressure if you can’t retain possession.
On facing London Irish in front of a sell-out crowd
- The Commercial Team have done a tremendous job. There have not been too many sell-outs in the time I have been here.
- The players will love it. There is nothing better than playing in front of a packed stadium.
What do you expect from Irish?
- We will have to be on the money. You see from the results over the weekend that if you are a little bit off your game you will get punished.
- Irish are a very physical side. Stephen Myler is an outstanding goal-kicker. They have got good players and they are a good team.
Will the players get time off for Christmas?
- Christmas Day falls on Wednesday this year which is our normal day off which is quite fortuitous.
- We will finish a bit earlier on Tuesday and will start a wee bit later on Thursday so the players can travel to be with their families but otherwise it’s a normal week for us.
Injuries
- Anton Bresler took a blow to a bicep but he will be fine.
- Cornell du Preez and Sam Lewis both had Head Injury Assessments at Gloucester and passed them.
- Marco Mama has been training this week but he has only had 40 minutes of rugby in around seven weeks.
- Will Butler had a tiny setback in his recovery but we hope that he will be fit to play against Enisei-STM in the European Challenge Cup next month.
- Ropate Rinakama is with the club until the end of the month. It’s been great to have him around. He’s a fantastic bloke and he will be a fantastic asset to any club fortunate enough to have his services. He can came in to cover for Nick Schonert but Sharky has regained fitness.
- Farai Mudariki is back in training.