WORCESTER Warriors chief Alan Solomons warned every game this season in the Premiership will be a ‘massive challenge’ as his charges go in search of their first win of the new campaign.
The Sixways side travel to Sale Sharks this weekend on the back of the agonising 20-21 opening-day reverse to Wasps when Duncan Weir’s last-second drop goal fell agonisingly wide.
Warriors director of rugby Solomons said: “It’s important for us to focus on consistency of performance and the results will take care of themselves if we get the performance right. We have a heavy block of six Premiership games to get started and the competition will be fierce. It’s important to get off to a good start.”
Solomons will be without a number of players for Sunday’s trip to Greater Manchester to face Sale, with Jamie Shillcock and Ethan Waller still on the treatment table.
Scotland international Cornell du Preez remains in hospital after a blow to his throat during the Wasps game with Solomons revealing the back row sustained a potential fractured larynx.
Concerned club chiefs issued an update on his condition on Sunday and said: “Cornell du Preez is stable and resting in hospital. Further surgery will be required to his larynx. The club is providing full support for Cornell and his family and wishes him a speedy recovery.”
Warriors were edged by just a single point in an enthralling Gallagher Premiership opener at Sixways against Wasps on Saturday.
Solomons’ side raced into a 13-0 lead through two Weir penalties and a converted Ryan Mills try before Wasps got back into the contest through two Billy Searle penalties to leave the game well poised at 13-6 at the interval.
A yellow card for Worcester’s Alafoti Faosiliva early in the second period paved the way for a Joe Launchbury converted try for the visitors against 14 men but Sam Lewis hit back to give Warriors a 20-13 lead with just over 20 minutes remaining.
However, Tommy Taylor’s close-range finish and Searle’s penalty gave Wasps a slender advantage going into the final ten.
Warriors threw everything at their Midlands rivals, but Weir’s last-gasp drop-goal just sailed wide of the upright.