WARRIORS return to Premiership action this weekend with a trip to Twickenham Stoop to face Harlequins as they look to bounce back from their Premiership Rugby Cup semi-final defeat to Saracens.
Alan Solomons’ men will take to the field on Saturday (3pm) eight days after their 38-22 defeat in front of the BT Sport cameras which denied them a place in a domestic final for the first time in more than a decade.
Harlequins currently sit third – 14 points behind second-placed Saracens and 18 behind leaders Exeter Chiefs – but just 12 in front of Warriors who are 11th in an incredibly congested Gallagher Premiership.
Warriors have another knockout clash in the European Challenge Cup next month and their experienced South African coach Alan Solomons has reflected on his side’s performances in league and cup this season.
“We said our primary focus is the Premiership but we felt that our squad was good enough to be competitive in all competitions and we have been able to do that which is very positive,” he said.
Solomons welcomed the signing of Graham Kitchener and hailed the arrival of the former Warriors academy graduate as a ‘powerful message’.
“He’s a guy who grew up here, he came through the academy and played in the first team before he went to ply his trade with Leicester,” he added.
“The fact he has decided to return home speaks volumes of the direction we are heading in as a club.”
Warriors’ hopes of a first appearance in a major domestic final were dashed by Saracens in the semi-final at Sixways.
Once again Warriors found themselves down at half-time but, despite second half tries from Tom Howe (two) and Nick David, this time there was no comeback victory to celebrate.
Saracens’ line speed in defence, opportunism in attack and the accurate kicking of Alex Lozowski – who finished with a personal haul of 18 points – proved decisive in frustrating Warriors who stuck to their task gamely but without reward.
Saracens had control of the game in the first half when they opened up an 18-pointslead but Warriors tested their resolve in a fiercely competitive second half.