Ryan savours key win ahead of Saints - The Worcester Observer

Ryan savours key win ahead of Saints

Worcester Editorial 26th Feb, 2016 Updated: 19th Oct, 2016   0

DIRECTOR of Rugby Dean Ryan was delighted to see Worcester Warriors end a 13-game losing streak with victory against Sale Sharks and is now looking to build on the result.

Warriors enjoyed a comfortable 31-23 victory against play-off hopefuls Sharks on Saturday and Ryan believes the performance was not only ‘outstanding’ but showed how hungry the players are to prove themselves.

“We’ve been competitive for a long time and have not been able to get across the line, so I’m delighted we’ve finally crossed it with the recent win,” Ryan said.

“Although we lost some momentum in the final 15 to 20 minutes, we played some great rugby in the first half which warranted the distance between the two teams.




“We forced them to play and felt comfortable as we kept putting scores on the board.

“We’ve got a combination of class players and players that are working hard and they’re all desperate to prove themselves.


“But performance is one thing. At this moment in time we need results.

“We’ve put ourselves in a fight having missed three or so opportunities earlier in the season, but we’ve shown some fight against Sharks and got the result. Now we need to look ahead to Northampton this weekend.

“We don’t do well away from home historically, but now we’ve had a shot in the arm we’re looking forward to it,” he added.

Ryan was also pleased with his new South African duo Dewald Potgieter and Francois Hougaard – the latter scoring a try on his debut against Sale – and believes they have had a massive impact on the younger players.

“We took a young group into this Premiership campaign and I think they’ve been outstanding, but you can see the difference when an established international comes in as it spreads confidence and belief across the squad,” he said.

“I thought Hougaard was brilliant, but I didn’t expect anything less of him as he’s a 35-capped international for South Africa. You could see his confidence exert on every player and the same goes to Dewald as well.

“They don’t sadden themselves with why they’re not winning, but instead look at the obstacles that are stopping them from getting results.”

Warriors will look to make it successive wins when they face Northampton Saints on Saturday (2.45pm) at Franklin’s Gardens.

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