Warriors geared up for D-Day - The Worcester Observer

Warriors geared up for D-Day

Worcester Editorial 27th May, 2015 Updated: 19th Oct, 2016   0

DIRECTOR of rugby Dean Ryan says Worcester Warriors will be ready for whatever Bristol throw at them as they look to secure their place in the Aviva Premiership.

Warriors will heading into tonight’s (Wednesday) contest with a one-point advantage after coming from behind to snatch a 29-28 victory at Ashton Gate seven days ago.

But Ryan, who has selected the same 15 which started last week, believes that will count for very little when the two sides meet at a packed Sixways.

“We are here at home with everybody behind us with a shot of getting into the Premiership,” he said.




“We have worked all season to be given that and now we have got here, so now we have got to make sure we perform.

“We feel confident in elements of our game which are going, but also recognise the threat that they bring.


“They showed in the second half that they can pretty much squeeze the game and limited us of opportunities, so we have got to work hard to get chances.

“We can’t be lulled into thinking we have achieved anything yet, so we have to make sure our concentration and preparation is right.

“We are pleased that we got the win and the manner in which we responded when we were under the cosh in the second half.

“They (the players) know they can score against Bristol and can be pretty resilient, so we will need all those qualities again.”

Max Stelling will miss out after failing to recover from a hamstring strain picked up last month, but Cooper Vuna has been passed fit after appearing to pick up knocks in the first leg.

Bristol will be without former Wales internationals Ryan Jones (shoulder) and Gavin Henson (broken shin), but Ryan still believes the visitors will cause his side problems.

“Losing experience will be key, but they are gaining in Mosses, who was pretty impressive out here when he played here two or three weeks ago,” he said.

“We have lost (Andy) Symons and Stelling – our first choice midfield – but this is a test of the club’s readiness to get into the Premiership.

“This is the side which is going to represent us with potentially the biggest prize we can get on offer, so I am not really interest in saying is this the best 15 or best 22?

“It will be the best tactically set up to try and win this game with who we have got available and that’s all we can ask for.”

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