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Error-strewn game tips Worcester's way to leave Solomons feeling very relieved

By Online Editors
Worcester's Niall Annett has his jersey pulled over his head by Leicester's Guy Thompson (Photo by Morgan Harlow/Getty Images)

Worcester director of rugby Alan Solomons said it was vital that his side got off to a winning start and they produced just that by defeating Leicester 24-16 in a poor Gallagher Premiership game at Sixways.

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Worcester’s tries came from Ted Hil and Perry Humphreys with Duncan Weir kicking four penalties and a conversion. Leicester responded with a try from Tom Youngs with Tom Hardwick, a late replacement for the sick Kyle Eastmond, adding three penalties and a conversion.

Hardwick missed with a penalty and conversion and fellow centre EW Viljoen failed with a long-distance penalty, which ultimately ensured Tigers came away with nothing. Solomons said: “If you start the Premiership with a home game, it’s important you come away with the win.

“The players were a bit nervous as they knew there was a lot riding on it but we gave away penalties at key moments, which was a big factor in the game. It was a very tight affair but fortunately we came out on the right side of it. Leicester were without a number of key players so we have to put the win in perspective but we knew it would be tough as they have good strength in depth.”

Weir was Worcester’s hero as he stepped up to succeed with two late penalties, one an effort from near halfway, to ensure victory. Solomons said: “The message went out to kick the goal as I believed it was just within Duncan’s range. His boot was invaluable but the game wasn’t won until that last-minute penalty went over.”

(Continue reading below…)

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Leicester’s head coach Geordan Murphy considered Worcester to be deserved winners. He said: “After 65 minutes, it was ours to win but we missed a couple of crucial goal-kicks, which always proves costly in the Premiership, but we were still second best on the day.

“We were some way off our performances in pre-season as the intensity wasn’t there and we were nervous and really sloppy. We were sharp at times and a bit better defensively but individual errors hurt us and they were the more accurate.”

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The match itself was a litany of errors and lost possession which culminated in a try-less second half with four penalties, the only addition to the half-time score. Murphy added: “It was a really strange game and not pleasing to watch. It was a turgid affair as everyone seemed a little tense.”

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Ed the Duck 2 hours ago
How Leinster neutralised 'long-in-the-tooth' La Rochelle

Hey Nick, your match analysis is decent but the top and tail not so much, a bit more random. For a start there’s a seismic difference in regenerating any club side over a test team. EJ pretty much had to urinate with the appendage he’d been given at test level whereas club success is impacted hugely by the budget. Look no further than Boudjellal’s Toulon project for a perfect example. The set ups at La Rochelle and Leinster are like chalk and cheese and you are correct that Leinster are ahead. Leinster are not just slightly ahead though, they are light years ahead on their plans, with the next gen champions cup team already blooded, seasoned and developing at speed from their time manning the fort in the URC while the cream play CC and tests. They have engineered a strong talent conveyor belt into their system, supported by private money funnelled into a couple of Leinster private schools. The really smart move from Leinster and the IRFU however is maximising the Irish Revenue tax breaks (tax relief on the best 10 years earnings refunded at retirement) to help keep all of their stars in Ireland and happy, while simultaneously funding marquee players consistently. And of course Barrett is the latest example. But in no way is he a “replacement for Henshaw”, he’s only there for one season!!! As for Rob Baxter, the best advice you can give him is to start lobbying Parliament and HMRC for a similar state subsidy, but don’t hold your breath… One thing Cullen has been very smart with is his coaching team. Very quickly he realised his need to supplement his skills, there was talk of him exiting after his first couple of years but he was extremely shrewd bringing in Lancaster and now Nienaber. That has worked superbly and added a layer that really has made a tangible difference. Apart from that you were bang on the money… 😉😂

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