Hogg is relishing to show off his Warriors - The Worcester Observer

Hogg is relishing to show off his Warriors

Worcester Editorial 31st Aug, 2016 Updated: 19th Oct, 2016   0

WARRIORS head coach Carl Hogg says he has settled into his new role and is now just itching to get his first Aviva Premiership game under his belt.

The former Melrose, Edinburgh and Scotland back row, who stepped up to manage the club following Dean Ryan’s departure earlier this summer, believes the squad has already improved under his leadership and, just like him, the players are hungry to show their worth in the season’s curtain-raiser against Saracens at Twickenham on Saturday.

Hogg praised his players’ efforts during their pre-season training camp in France and said the team to face Saracens had it ‘all to play for’.

“Pre-season has been great. The levels of intensity and accuracy the players have produced have been a step-up from where we were last year,” said Hogg.




“Everyone had the opportunity to put their hand up and we’ve been impressed with the two squads we’ve used. The players who took their chances in those games will be selected for the Saracens match.

“I’ve settled into the role as head coach now. To be honest, pre-season is relatively simple so I’m just looking forward to the start of the Premiership.


“There’s been a change in emphasis throughout the summer and I’ve implemented my own personality on the squad. We’re all geared up for the Sarries test now and we’ll go to the home rugby to have a good crack at it. Most importantly, it’ll let us see where we are as a side.

“I’m not looking ahead of the Saracens game. It’s all we’re focusing on. But if we can build momentum from the offset, I think we’ll have a successful season.”

Hogg also expressed his disappointment on losing Chris Pennell for the start of the season after the full-back suffered a neck injury.

“We’re a very healthy team, with just a few injuries within the squad. Chris will be out for eight to ten weeks which is an insignificant time for us, but that’s sport for you,” he added.

“He had a neck problem last season which we thought we’d settled, but unfortunately it’s still ongoing so Chris will be trying to get to full fitness as soon as possible.

“You’re not going to go through a whole season without picking up injuries, so when you do, it provides other players the chance to step up and make their mark.”

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