DIRECTOR of rugby Dean Ryan hopes Worcester Warriors’ warm-weather training camp in Portugal can revitalise his squad as they prepare for their survival fight.
The Warriors boss spoke of his delight after seeing his side end their 11-match losing streak at Sixways with victory over Oyonnax in the Amlin Challenge Cup.
But with just two weeks to go before Warriors’ return to Aviva Premiership action, Ryan has decided to take his team out to Browns Sports and Leisure Club in Vilamoura.
He said the state of the art complex will not only offer them good conditions to train in, but it will also give his side a much-needed change of scenery.
“We will be going there to work really hard,” Ryan said. “We will try and improve our game and our fitness level, but also have a bit of a relax which comes from being in a different environment.
“We haven’t trained on grass for two weeks, which is causing us problems, so this is perfect for us to take stock of where we are and it will form part of our preparations going forward.”
He added: “We have targeted this next month as a pinch point in our season so we need to ensure we have done everything to try and get our preparations right.
“We want to get ourselves on a decent track and see if we can come back feeling that we have given ourselves the best chance of having a crack of it.”
Ryan also believes his side’s win over Oyonnax last Saturday, which was only their second victory of the campaign, could also be key to turning Warriors’ sorry season around.
“I felt like whatever happened we just needed to make sure it was a win,” Ryan said. “I can’t remember the last time I have felt like that and the lads needed it.
“Every player who is here came into the changing room at the end.
“I would love to be able to predict the future and say this was the catalyst for turning things around.
“We were really disappointed with our performance at London Irish, but we will be in a good place when we return to the Premiership and we will give it everything we have got and see what happens.”
Warriors’ next fixture sees them travel to Sale on Saturday (2pm) in the LV=Cup.