A FRUSTRATED Worcester Warriors director of rugby Mike Ruddock was less than happy with the number of penalties his side conceded in their 21-13 defeat at Northampton Saints.
With the Sixways side still looking for a first ever opening day Guinness Premiership victory, the former Wales Grand Slam winning coach will go through yesterday’s match with a fine-tooth comb.
“We gave away too many penalties,” he said. “That is a concern for me.
“What also worried me was our ability in the tackle and I shouldn’t because we spent so much time working on that over the summer.
“I have several concerns throughout this game and that is something that we are going to have to address before Sunday’s match against Wasps.”
Ruddock knows his team were less than impressive at Franklin’s Gardens. He will be concerned his side don’t make the same start to the season as last term. But with the likes of Chris Latham, Rico Gear, Miles Benjamin, Pat Sanderson and Greg Rawlinson, that shouldn’t be the case. Worcester have a stronger squad this year and that has raised the expectation levels.
But if they don't adapt to the new Experimental Variation Laws then there could be problems.
“These ELVs have certainly made an impact when you have a greasy slippery ball,” said Ruddock. “When you get periods like that you need to consolidate the ball and get a drive on.
“Northampton were pouring through our line-out and perhaps if we could have turned or got a maul going they would have been less effective.
“Northampton deserved their win, but there is unfinished business for me with my team from this game.
“We did under-perform, but Northampton got stuck into us with their energy and we will come back fighting against Wasps at the weekend.”
Ruddock was pleased with how Matthew Jones made his Premiership bow after kicking two penalties and one conversion.
“I thought that Matthew did really,” Ruddock said. “He kicked out of hand well and he made one lovely break in the first-half. He kicked his share of goals on a difficult surface and he got the line going when he got the chance, but we didn’t get too many chances.
“Chris Latham didn’t get much decent ball. There were two or three forward passes to him.
“We have to take it on the chin and get ourselves ready for Wasps.”
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