WARRIORS on-field struggles this term are more to do with the team’s desire than their technical ability, according to director of rugby Dean Ryan.

Worcester were bullied in the set-piece by Sale Sharks in the woeful Amlin Challenge Cup showing at Sixways last weekend and Ryan questioned his players’ work-rate and commitment.

“Stopping a driving line-out is exactly what I’ve been talking about — it’s probably about 15 per cent technical and then 85 per cent about emotion,” the Sixways chief said.

“Until we solve that, there’s no surprise what people are going to do against us.

“I didn’t expect to have the problems we had at the scrum against Sale, but we did and if you ally that to a distinct lack of work-rate around the field, then life gets pretty complicated.”

He added: “It is unrealistic and irresponsible to say what we’re going to be in 12 months’ time — we have a responsibility here and now, so my hands are tied in terms of making changes to a certain extent.

“I can only make those opportunities for players to come in if they’re realistic.

“I will create the opportunities, though, and I won’t settle and allow a player to think ‘that’s OK’ and for him to roll that performance round to the next week, because then you confirm to him it is OK.

“People say about us needing to settle the side down, but I will only do that if I can get 15 people that are throwing everything at it for Worcester Warriors.

“When I do that, I can help them technically and tactically, but I will keep changing the team until then.”

Worcester return to Aviva Premiership action on Saturday when they visit Exeter Chiefs.

n Read the latest views from Sixways with Warriors reporter Tom Guest in tomorrow’s Worcester News.