Head Coach Jonathan Thomas spoke to the media today ahead of Saturday’s Gallagher Premiership match against Leicester Tigers at Sixways (kick-off 3.00pm).
Here’s what Jonathan had to say:
On the performance at Wasps
- We had to deal with some real adversity losing Richard Palframan after three minutes then Ethan Waller and Ashley Beck before half-time.
- We showed maturity in how we came back into the match and managed the conditions but it was disappointing that we didn’t get over the line.
- We just need to believe in ourselves a little bit more. There have been six or seven games this season that we should have nailed and had we done so the league table would look very different.
On the recruitment of Jay Tyack
- As well as recruiting players who have leadership qualities or who are x-factor players, we are also looking for players with the potential to grow and develop in our system.
- The Championship is a competition that we keep a close eye on and Jay has performed consistently for Cornish Pirates over the last couple of seasons.
- He is a destructive scrummager in what is a hard and physical league. We are extremely grateful to Cornish Pirates for allowing Jay to join us early. We have a few injuries at tighthead at the moment so having Jay in early is a huge bonus for us.
What do you make of Leicester Tigers and their improvement this season?
- I thought they were unfortunate last week and they were by far the more dominant side against Montpellier.
- They have brought in the Springboks fitness coach so they are better conditioned this season and they are conditioned to the way they want to play.
- They have probably gone back to their identity which is a side that is very physical and who scrum for penalties, maul for penalties and who are direct and pragmatic.
- In Steve Borthwick they have a quality coach and a quality person who has brought good direction to the club.
What will it be like having supporters back in the ground?
- We can’t wait to have fans back in the ground. No one has enjoyed playing in empty stadiums for the past year.
- I’ve watched quite a few games on TV over the past week and although grounds are only at 20 per cent capacity, just having noise and the sound of supporters makes such a huge difference.
- We will be allowed 3,100 in for the Leicester match and we are all very excited about welcoming them back.
What do you want to get out of the last three games of the season?
- We have a number of players leaving us who have put in a huge amount of effort and worn the Warriors jersey with pride.
- It’s important that we say goodbye to those players in the right way and that we try to finish this season on a high.
- It’s easy to dwell on the negatives of a season like this but there have been some positives from this season.
- Our younger players have had good exposure this season which is important in their growth and development.
- We are very excited about next season and beyond and there is already quite a feel-good factor around the signings that we have made.
- It’s important that don’t waste a minute of pre-season so that we have cohesion and we are all connected as soon as next season starts.
Injuries
- Duncan Weir is available for selection this week.
- Noah Heward is also available for selection this week for the first time this season.
- Fin Smith has recovered from the slight shoulder injury that ruled him out against Wasps and is available this week.
- Melani Nanai is back in training but he has been out for such a long time that we want to make sure that he goes through all the right protocols.