Lead Rugby Consultant Steve Diamond spoke to the media today ahead of Saturday’s Gallagher Premiership match against Wasps (kick-off 3.00pm).
Here’s what Steve had to say:
Do you have an update on the independent panel hearing into the cancelled Gloucester match?
- We went to London yesterday and sat in front of the independent panel, and we have been with them again today on Zoom for the final submissions.
- Both parties will be informed of the outcome around 4pm on Thursday.
- They have had to listen to all the evidence from both sides and go through the regulations and how they might be interpreted and make their decision on those facts.
- I was very impressed with the panel who were very fair. The chairman was a senior judge and he was assisted by two solicitors.
- Our case very simple. We have put forward a case of COVID and Gloucester have attempted to say that wasn’t the case.
- We have presented medical opinion and we will see what comes of it but, having spent two days with them, I am not too concerned at this moment.
On the performance at Lyon
- I was very encouraged by the performance. We made two errors from restart kicks that gave them 14 points.
- I was disappointed that we didn’t win the game, or at least draw it, but I was more pleased that the lads got back on the horse after Newcastle.
- They had a difficult time travelling out there, a hard game and they didn’t get home until 24 hours after the match after a long journey back.
On Wasps
- Wasps are a fantastic attacking team, a good lineout and some very effective jackalers.
- Their position in the league belies their ability.
- I have been on the back of a few hidings there when I coached Sale at that stadium.
- They are dynamic team who are well-coached with some world-class players.
- So we have got it all to do but we have a game plan set and hopefully we can apply it. We are full of confidence, we have got a fit team and the lads have trained well.
- If we turn up with the same mentality as we did in Lyon then it will be a closely-fought game.
- We have three league games left this season plus a Premiership Rugby Cup semi-final so we are going to go into the last three or four weeks of the season with a positive mindset and see what we can get out of it.
What sort of team will you take to Gloucester for the Premiership Cup semi-final?
- We have a number of players coming back from injury who could come into the side.
- But that is what the competition is all about, development and giving game time to people coming back from injury.
- Whatever side we pick it will be a competitive one.
How important is the Premiership Rugby Cup?
- It’s important to treat the competition with respect, which is what we have done.
- Chris Morgan, Jonny Goodridge and Mark Irish have been coaching us in the competition and they have done an excellent job to get us to the semi-finals.
- We want to progress as far as we can in the competition.
- We have got a lot of young lads – the likes of Harri Doel, Gareth Simpson, Fin Smith, Seb Atkinson, Tom Howe, Alex Hearle and Noah Heward who are all around 20-21 so I think I can pick them without getting told off.
Has the relationship with Gloucester been affected by the cancellation of the league match last month?
- I don’t think so. We disagree on a couple of things, but that is often the case.
- You don’t always get along swimmingly well. There’s always competition and, as I have realised coming to Worcester, the closer you are to other clubs, the more parochial it is.
- But I have never had any feeling from Gloucester and I have never shown any towards them.
On recruitment
- We will have two more new signings to announce in the next few days and two more next month.
Injuries
- Ashley Beck had a stiff knee after training today so we will have a look at him later in the week.
- Francois Venter will be available this weekend.
- Duhan van der Merwe has a sore rib.