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Page last updated at 10:00 GMT, Monday, 23 February 2009

We are on right track - Ruddock

Mike Ruddock
Mike Ruddock has enjoyed only three Warriors league wins this season

Mike Ruddock says he is confident about the future at Sixways, despite three successive league defeats which have seen his team leak over 100 points.

Worcester Warriors' director of rugby was asked if he is under pressure after Saturday's 38-5 defeat at Leicester.

But he told BBC Hereford & Worcester: "I am confident we are on the right track. We are bringing through some good young talented players.

"It is a big challenge, but I want to do it properly and get through it."

Coming on top of two home defeats to Sale (37-20) and Bath (34-17), Warriors have now lost three consecutive games (all, admittedly, against top six sides) since the headline-making departure of assistant coach Clive Griffiths in late January.

They are now without a win in the Guinness Premiership in three months, in six matches since the Friday night home win over Newcastle in late November.

And they are now 11th in the table, with only beleaguered Bristol beneath them.

It's a big challenge, it's a big job, but I want to do it properly and get through it

Worcester director of rugby Mike Ruddock
Ruddock's men are nine points clear of Bristol, who they still have to meet at the Memorial Stadium on 29 March. But the Worcester coach remains convinced that his team are on the right road.

"We are playing the sort of rugby the players believe in," he said. "What we have to do is improve our defence and our discipline and these are fixable.

"The Warriors have traditionally been a team that have struggled in the Premiership and haven't played a vast amount of rugby.

"But with the change of laws you can't rely on the maul any more, and we have got to play more open rugby.

"If we tighten up and don't play then I don't think we will will ever get out of the situation we are in."

Worcester Warriors take on Wasps in their next Guinness Premiership at Sixways on Saturday (28 February, 1500 GMT). There will be full commentary on BBC Hereford & Worcester.

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see also
Ruddock criticises ill-discipline
21 Feb 09 |  Rugby Union
Leicester 38-5 Worcester
21 Feb 09 |  English
Worcester 17-34 Bath
14 Feb 09 |  English
Worcester 20-37 Sale
31 Jan 09 |  English
Griffiths departs Worcester post
27 Jan 09 |  Worcester


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