WARRIORS director of rugby Alan Solomons has rallied his troops to deliver a derby performance to remember against Gloucester to follow their ‘remarkable’ victory at Exeter Chiefs.
The 6-5 win in Devon last Saturday was the first defeat at Sandy Park in the Premiership for the reigning champions since October 2016 and Solomons praised his side for a ‘magnificent’ defensive display both at the breakdown and tackling.
The Sixways chief admitted players and staff enjoyed the moment but added all the focus has now moved onto Saturday’s visit of Gloucester (kick off 3pm).
“It will be another tough fixture but we’re determined to do well in front of our home support. There’s the derby element to it and they’ve been travelling well so we expect a good contest,” he said.
“We have to perform to the best of our ability to have a chance of getting the result we want, like we’ve done against Northampton, Leicester and Exeter this season.”
The derby clash comes in the week Warriors revealed a host of new signings and confirmed a number of players had agreed new deals to remain at Sixways next season.
Prop Callum Black has joined from Ulster Rugby while centre Ashley Beck will move to Warriors in the summer from Pro 14 side Ospreys. Marco Mama has agreed a new deal to remain at the club while David Denton will leave Sixways at the end of the season.
Giant back row and Scotland international Cornell du Preez became the latest signing yesterday when he joined on a two-year deal which will bring him to Worcester in the summer.
Du Preez has made six appearances for Scotland, with his most recent in this season’s NatWest 6 Nations against Wales.
The back row made the move to Edinburgh Rugby in 2013 and has made 96 appearances, scoring 13 tries, and also helped the Scottish side to the European Challenge Cup final in 2015 and the 2017 quarter-finals.
Du Preez previously played for Eastern Province Kings in South Africa where he made 23 appearances and crossed for 11 tries, as well as playing 16 times for the Kings in the 2013 Super Rugby season.
“I’ve always wanted to test myself in the Premiership and look forward to my next challenge,” he said.
“I’d like to thank Edinburgh for the past few years where I’ve really enjoyed my time and will continue to give my all till the end of the season.”
Solomons added: “Cornell is a fantastic player with exceptional skills. His all-round game will be of huge benefit to the team.
“He will also bring a great deal of physicality, power and experience to our forward pack.”