Ruddock rues below par Warriors

Mike Ruddock has a problem at fly-half

Warriors director of rugby Mike Ruddock said Sunday's display against Saracens was simply not good enough.

Ruddock told BBC Hereford & Worcester there was very little comfort in their 23-6 defeat: "I'm disappointed and the changing room is frustrated.

"We have had an honest debrief, Pat Sanderson has put his hand up, the coaching staff have had their say and we now move on from here.

"They know we can't afford to play like that in the Guinness Premiership."

He added: "We came with high expectations of carrying on our good form of recent weeks. But we looked a yard off the pace and below par.

"We had prepared well for the game and came into it on the back of some encouraging displays.

"But we just seemed to leave that on the training field, the best team won on the day.

Joe Carlisle is Worcester's only experienced fly-half

"We were 20 to 30% below where we needed to be and where we have been.

"We have already talked about it in the changing room and had an honest and frank conversation with the players.

"They know we can't afford to play like that in the Guinness Premiership.

"Now I want us to refocus to our game in Bourgoin and getting back on track. That is a big game for us as we look to take a step forward in Europe."

Worcester's problems in the number 10 shirt continue to mount, with the likelihood of them having to pick an academy player on the bench for the game in France.

With Matthew Jones out for up to four weeks, Loki Crichton limped off yesterday: "He appears to have picked up a ligament strain which is unfortunate for him.

"He had started the game well but now looks like he is out of the Bourgoin game and possibly longer.

"But we have confidence in Joe Carlisle and he played well when he came on and won't let anyone down, and we have other players who can come in and play at fly-half."

Warriors play Bourgoin in France in the European Challenge Cup on Friday 1930 GMT, and there will be full commentary on the game on BBC Hereford & Worcester.