FURIOUS Andy Keast branded Worcester's performance 'disgraceful' as they conceded five tries against Plymouth.
Worcester's coach watched on, like the rest of the crowd, utterly stunned as the promotion-chasing team let a 24-0 lead slip to go in 26-24 down at half time.
And he took little comfort from the fact that the side fought back in the second half to eventually clinch victory.
"Today's performance was a huge disappointment," he said. "Professional sport is about 80 minutes. We have a defensive coach who works his backside off and the players go out on the field and don't tackle. It's not acceptable.
"We set a game plan to play against the opposition and that was clearly working at 24-0 up. The job was being done. But then the players decided not to tackle, not to put their bodies on the line. That is what this sport is all about and they didn't do it.
"They deserve the wrath of the supporters and they are certainly going to get it from the coaches. I've clearly made my point in the dressing room that I'm not happy. I told them at half time that if they bothered to tackle they would win the game and that, belatedly, happened."
Worcester's players now look set for an uncomfortable week as they prepare for Sunday's trip to Moseley.
"They will tackle in the next fortnight in training, I can guarantee that," added Keast.
"The bottom line is that you have to put your body on the line, this is not a Mickey Mouse sport. If you don't, then it's like touch rugby and that's what it was like for 15 minutes. That was disgraceful and I don't like being part of that.
"We'll have extra defensive sessions now. We've been professional, always trying to keep the players fresh for Saturdays. That's where we believe the biggest training session is.
"But if you are not going to perform then I'll look at training and see how hard they train. I guarantee that the boys will be tackling for two weeks. I guarantee it.
"These boys are all in this together and they take the accolades when things are going well. They can take the wrath now.
"If we do technical defence and the players go out and play like that then the only way forward is to put them through tackle situations time and time again so that it becomes second nature. Like our attacking - that is second nature to us.
"If we let in points like we did against Plymouth then we will not win another game this season."
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