Press Conference Notes 02.02.21

Head Coach Jonathan Thomas spoke to the media today ahead of Saturday’s Gallagher Premiership match against Leicester Tigers at Welford Road (kick-off 3.00pm).

Here’s what Jonathan had to say:

On the performance against Exeter

  • I was very proud of the effort the boys put it and there were definitely opportunities for us to win that game.
  • We have been working on our mindset . As human beings we are going to make mistakes but it’s how you respond to those mistakes that matter. Having gone 14 points down in as many minutes we responded superbly.
  • We showed that we can go to the well with the best team in Europe, we finished strongly and, in the end, we were disappointed that we didn’t win.

On facing Leicester

  • It’s always great going to Welford Road and this will be my first time there with no fans so there won’t be the usual noisy reception.
  • They are a physical team under Steve Borthwick and they have a strong kicking game with Richard Wigglesworth at scrum-half.
  • We said after the final against Exeter that we were already excited about our next game.
  • Of course we would like to win there. We don’t want to be heroic losers. But to win games there is a process that you have to go through.
  • Our training habits and our intensity have improved in the time that I have been here and you should start to see the transference into games and losses into wins.

Is Chris Ashton likely to play against Leicester?

  • We are keeping an open mind. Both wings played well last week and we have to give them respect for the job they did against Exeter.

On the signing of tighthead prop Jack Owlett from Wasps for next season

  • The biggest thing when you are recruiting players is to make sure that they add value to your squad.
  • For whatever reason Jack has not had the opportunities he would have liked so far but we believe that he has got a lot of potential and would like to help him to achieve that potential here.

Chris Pennell is in line to make his 250th appearance at Welford Road. What can you say about him?

  • It seems like Chris has been here forever and, when you look at the history of the club, he has been here for most of the time Worcester Warriors have been a Premiership club.
  • Chris has been here through good times and some tough times but the real measure of a man is how they are in those tough times.
  • Chris is a very solid professional and a very solid bloke who has been unfailingly loyal to the club.
  • In my first year as a player here the team struggled but Chris still had the record for most metres made by anyone in the Premiership that season.
  • He’s as fit and quick as an 18-year-old. He’s very durable and he can feel very proud of everything he has achieved in his career.
  • It will be a very proud moment for Chris and his family at the weekend and he thoroughly deserves all the accolades that come his way.

Injuries

  • Andrew Kitchener is still not available for selection this weekend
  • Billy Searle suffered a very nasty cut in his thigh and he needed surgery to ensure that there was no infection. He will not play this weekend.

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