WORCESTER'S victory over Moseley was extremely pleasing not just because of the 54-5 scoreline but how we achieved it.

The lads produced some high quality rugby with good inter-passing and I was very encouraged by a lot of their play.

They worked hard on their support work and they were well worth their victory.

The performance gives a few selection posers for Saturday's match at Rugby -- but they are nice ones.

It shows we've got healthy competition in the squad and things look good for the future.

Unfortunately we lost James Lofthouse to a hamstring strain but he will only be sidelined for a short while.

We were particularly good in the second-half but it wasn't a league game and we must put that into context and produce the goods when it really matters and I'm confident we can.

Having said that we can never overestimate teams like Rugby, particularly when playing away. We only have to reflect on last year's game for what to expect in the league this Saturday.

We won at Webb Ellis Road on the last day of last season but it was a tight squeeze and they were very passionate about their rugby.

It wasn't the most exciting game when they came to Sixways earlier in the season but they only played to their strengths. They have a big pack and very good back row forwards and there's no doubt they will use them again to make things difficult for us.

All we expect of the players is to perform at their best, you can't ask for more than that.

This weekend also sees the start of the Five Nations and it's a big time for the sport of rugby.

Hopefully we can put all the politics behind us as the game should be in rude health. There are a lot of goods things happening and the Five Nations starts an exciting year for rugby culminating with the World Cup in Wales.

Off the pitch, work has already started on our new stand and it's full steam ahead so it can ready for next season.

A new season means new contracts for some of the players and the situation is already under review.

Nobody is being sacked but some players contract situations are expected to change at the end of May and we are warning them.

Some may feel they might get greater first team opportunities elsewhere, but there will be chances for people to prove themselves before the end of May and that has always been the case.

Thursday, February 4, 1999.