Head Coach Jonathan Thomas spoke to the media today ahead of Saturday’s European Challenge Cup match against Biarritz Olympique at Sixways (kick-off 3.15pm).
Here’s what Jonathan had to say:
On last Friday’s European opener at Newcastle
- It was bitter-sweet. We came away with two points but we felt that it was a game that we should have won.
- Two weeks before we drew at Newcastle in the Premiership when our set piece creaked as we were under pressure in the scrums and mauls but we took our opportunities.
- We worked very hard on those aspects of our game and on Friday our set piece was dominant. Our scrum was solid and our maul, both in attack and defence, was good.
- But we made too many unforced errors in our own half and turned over too much possession. I thought it was a case of us losing the game rather than Newcastle winning it.
- But I was happy with the mindset and commitment of the players to the jersey, we just lacked a bit of precision at times.
On conceding a try after 15 seconds
- It was one of those freak things that happen with the bounce of a rugby ball.
- We practise taking kick-offs hundreds of times and 99 times out of 100 that sort of thing doesn’t happen.
- For the next 50 years Joe Batley’s face is going to be on What Happened Next? On ‘A Question of Sport’ or whenever the fastest try in European rugby history is shown.
- It might not be for the right reason but it’s given Bats some notoriety.
How important might the two points from Newcastle be?
- It’s a very tough group so, although we were disappointed not to win, getting those two points was really important.
- We have Biarritz at Sixways this weekend and in European competition you have to win your home games.
- We respect Biarritz who are past winners of this competition and who have a proud history and pedigree.
- We know that, no matter what side they pick, French players are good athletes, they have good off-loading ability and they are dangerous when the game becomes unstructured.
- They won at Zebre at the weekend so we are expecting them to come here with a strong team and that will be reflected in our own selection.
Biarritz are bottom of the Top 14 at the moment, how much do you read into that?
- It’s a very tight competition and they have had a couple of very good home wins.
- They have played some good rugby this season, they have a good maul, they are not afraid to be adventurous and they like to play with width and tempo.
- It’s important that we try to kill their spirit early doors and take our chances. If we leave the door ajar they have such a good instinct for the game that, if they are still in the game with ten to 15 minutes to go, they have the ability to win those tight games.
How excited are you about Biarritz coming to Sixways?
- If I was a rugby fan, either an existing Warriors supporter or one who doesn’t necessarily come every week, I would be excited to come to this game.
- Biarritz are a big club, it’s the week before Christmas so there is a festive feel-good factor.
- We are scoring a lot of tries at the moment, Biarritz are also a good attacking side so I hope that we have a big crowd for what should be a really exciting contest.
Injuries
- Melani Nanai has tested positive for COVID-19 and is completing his ten-day quarantine period so he will not be available this weekend.
- Niall Annett had a head injury assessment at Newcastle and it is touch-and-go whether he will be fit to play against Biarritz.
- Rory Sutherland suffered a dead leg against Wasps and we are assessing him.
- Francois Venter passed a head injury assessment at Newcastle and is expected to be fit this weekend.
- Kyle Hatherell has a sore shoulder and he is expected to be fit.
- Ashley Beck should be back fit this weekend.
- Gareth Simpson is recovering from the rib injury he aggravated against Wasps.
- Willi Heinz has had a little setback with his calf injury which has delayed his return to play.
- Ollie Lawrence has a hamstring injury which we need to assess further.
- Owen Williams has been doing some straight-line running with the medical staff. It’s good to see him training again, but he had a major operation and it will be the end of January before he returns to play.
On Chris Ashton’s departure
- Chris didn’t play the amount of games that he and we would have wanted for a few reasons, mainly calf and knee issues.
- Things didn’t work out but we wish Chris all the best for the future.