Head Coach Jonathan Thomas spoke to the media today ahead of Saturday’s Gallagher Premiership match against Bristol Bears at Ashton Gate (kick-off 3.00pm).
Here’s what Jonathan had to say:
On the victory against Sale Sharks
- When you lose games by the margins that we had in the previous three games your confidence is affected and there is a danger that you can start over-thinking the game and over-thinking your performance.
- You need to be emotionally and physically in the right place and to do the basics right.
- The players took ownership of the week and executed on the day and I am really proud of the way they conducted themselves and performed in front of our home support on the day.
- I am pleased for everyone at the club that we won but we are not getting carried away. We need to back up that performance with another one this week.
What were the key aspects of the win?
- It was built on the solid platform that we had up front. We went for a particularly big back with Ted Hill at number seven, Sione Vailanu and Kyle Hatherell alongside him in the back row and Graham Kitchener and Matt Garvey in the second row. So we had power and experience through the pack.
- Sale have one the most physical defences in the competition but we won the collisions and, for physicality, it was probably the best performance since I came back to the club.
- We know we have some strike-power out wide if we can get them good ball and the physicality of the pack and our fast ruck speed gave the backs opportunities on Saturday.
How important were those two early tries?
- We talked before about throwing the first punch so to go 14 points up so quickly was a positive momentum swing for us.
- We knew that we had made lots of simple errors in the previous three games and if we could reduce the error count we would give ourselves every opportunity on Saturday.
The players led the review of the Northampton match last week, have they been involved in this week’s review?
- It’s easy to talk about key words like culture and core values but not to actually live them.
- One of the big things that we have been working on throughout the club is people taking ownership of every situation.
- It’s something that we have talked about since pre-season. The challenge is that we have a new group and people who are new to the club are trying to find their feet within that group.
- The process of the players reviewing their performance is part of the evolution of this team. The players took ownership after the Northampton game but it’s important that, with victory and defeat, that you treat those two imposters the same.
- So the players went through the same review process this week, with feedback from the coaches.
On Jamie Shillcock’s performance against Sale
- When I first came back to the club Jamie was a bit frustrated. He had confidence in his own ability, but he wanted more opportunities in the first team.
- He no longer felt that he was that young player that came into the side at 17 and he wanted the chance to show everyone what he can do.
- In the second half of last season Shilly got a run of games when Melani Nanai was injured which gave him the back to back games that he was looking for.
- It was fantastic to see Shilly out there on Saturday showing everyone what he can do.
On facing Bristol
- We know it’s going to be a huge test because Bristol are a quality side. They had a big win at London Irish at the weekend so they have got their mojo back.
- I had four great years there. I know the players and coaches well and I am looking forward to going back there, catching up with Pat Lam, the coaches and players after the match. But I have a job to do first.
- We have trained well this week and we have prepared well.
On Ethan Waller making his 100th appearance for the club
- We talk about the Warriors Family and having a Warrior Mindset and Ethan is the perfect example of someone who demonstrates both of those values.
- Off the field he is very popular, he’s Chairman of the RPA, he does a lot of work around our team culture and supporting other players.
- On the pitch he has been a consistent performer at Premiership level since he came here from Northampton.
- His scrummaging his sound and his work rate around the field is excellent. But I think that there is still another level in his game so there is probably another gear to come from him.
Injuries
- Rory Sutherland withdrew from the Sale match with an oblique muscle injury in his side which he sustained in training last Thursday. It looks like being a four weeks injury so Rory is probably going to miss the Autumn Internationals.
- Ollie Lawrence surprised the medical staff by recovering from a grade two calf injury to play against Sale. Those are usually 30-day injuries but Ollie told me that he knew his own body and that he would be fit to face Sale which he was. I’m now calling him the Miracle Man.
- Graham Kitchener needed a head injury assessment against Sale and he is now going through the return-to-play protocols.
- Kyle Hatherell took a bang to a hip on Saturday and we will assess him later in the week.
- Sione Vailanu and Duhan van der Merwe are on international duty this weekend.
- Chris Ashton is unavailable for selection this weekend.