Confidence is low, says Ruddock

Mike Ruddock's Warriors still have an 11-point lead over bottom club Bristol

Worcester Warriors director of rugby Mike Ruddock admitted that his team have lost confidence after Sunday's 38-17 hammering at London Irish.

Despite bottom club Bristol losing again, to remain 11 points adrift, Ruddock knows Worcester could still be drawn into a relegation fight.

"At the moment our confidence levels are pretty low," Ruddock told BBC Hereford and Worcester.

"There is a long way to go, and we are not out of the woods."

Worcester still have six games left, one more than Bristol. But the bottom club, under new management, host Warriors at the Memorial Ground in what could yet prove a crucial game on Sunday week (29 March).

A couple of youngsters came off the bench and did well and put their hands up for selection

Worcester director of rugby Mike Ruddock

Before that comes this Sunday's daunting home date with Guinness Premiership leaders Gloucester. And, after five defeats in six league games, Ruddock has already hinted that there could be changes.

"We have asked a lot of a certain group of players as we have been lower down the table," he said, "and we have been going to the same guys.

"A couple of youngsters came off the bench and did well and put their hands up for selection.

"Maybe there's an argument for putting a couple of young players into the side in the next few games."

Ruddock refused to pick out individuals for the poor showing.

"I don't think it's any particular area," he said. "You look at Newcastle who a couple of months ago said they needed a new squad.

"But they have won a few games, and lifted their performance up 30 to 40 percent, and that is a massive thing.

"We just did not transfer our training ground work, which was excellent all week, into the game.

"We have the unique ability to chase games from minute one, two penalties against and that can happen when calls go against you, but we then conceded with an individual error.

"We were competitive and we got a try ourselves, but the try after half time was probably the killer. Overall they were the better team, there is no doubt about that."