ALAN SOLOMONS claimed his Worcester Warriors side ‘could and maybe should’ have won their opening two Gallagher Premiership clashes, rather than suffering back-to-back defeats.
Speaking to Warriors TV after last Sunday’s 21-15 loss at Sale Sharks, Solomons called on his charges to improve their in-game management and execution of their skills as they prepare to welcome Newcastle Falcons to Sixways this weekend. Both teams have lost their opening two games.
Warriors failed to register a point in the opening 40 minutes against Sale and despite a spirited second-half fightback they had to settle for a losing bonus point.
“I wasn’t satisfied with the first half, it wasn’t good,” said director of rugby Solomons.
“We had to improve for the second half and we did. Our kicking wasn’t accurate enough, it’s something we will have to work on.
Sale led 18-0 at the interval at the AJ Bell Stadium, courtesy of tries for Josh Beaumont and a Denny Solomona interception, along with eight points from the boot of AJ MacGinty.
But Warriors came out rejuvenated in the second half. Bryce Heem and Chris Pennell both scored tries, and Duncan Weir booted a penalty after a Jonny Arr try was chalked off.
And despite a late barrage of pressure as Warriors searched tirelessly for the win, Sharks held on to secure four points.
“We could and should have won both games. I was really disappointed not to come away with a win against Wasps and then against Sale we made a rod for our own backs with our first-half display,” said Solomons.
Newcastle visit Sixways on Saturday (3pm) on the back of two defeats from two games. An opening-day 32-21 reverse at home to Saracens was followed up with a 49-33 defeat at Leicester Tigers to leave the Falcons bottom of the pile with one point from two games.