Dai's Latest Press Conference Notes

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Press Conference Notes

Wasps Director of Rugby Dai Young spoke to the media ahead of Saturday's Gallagher Premiership clash with Worcester Warriors at Ricoh Arena (kick-off 3pm).

Here’s what he had to say:

A-team reflection after two wins last week
• Saturday was a great occasion. Broadstreet put on a great day and it was good to see supporters after the game.
• It was nice to have a mix of senior first-team guys with Academy players. It’s the same Academy players that have been playing all year and having better players around them is only going to enhance their game.
• It’s a shame we’ve had so many injuries all year that we haven’t been able to field more teams like that.
• We played some real good rugby and a few youngsters put their hands up and showed they’ve hopefully got a future moving forward and it’s up to us to try and develop them over the next couple of years.

Worcester preview
• It is a big game for both teams and there are four big ones coming after it too.
• We’re getting to a point in the season where they are all pressure games.
• The pressure and what’s at stake will have an impact and hopefully a positive one. The players are used to playing under pressure whether it’s at the top or the bottom, or trying to get in the top four or top six. We’re under no illusions of the task that’s at hand.
• There are lots of points to be won and lost across the league and if we pick up one or two results and another one or two go our way, then we could sneak into the top six but if results go against you, then the pressure starts coming on.
• There’s enough confidence in our ability and collectively as a group that we’re capable of getting results and climbing the table.
• Worcester are fighting for their lives but that can’t be different to us.
• The backline they could put out at the weekend is as good as any in the Premiership.
• We’re going to have to play some really good stuff as they’re a good team. It’s probably one of the best Worcester teams I’ve seen for a long time.
• We were lucky there at the start of the season – we came away with the win but it could’ve gone the other way if they nailed a kick at the end.
• We owe our supporters a win at the Ricoh. We haven’t repaid that loyalty and faith but first and foremost we want to do it for ourselves.

Team news/injury news
• Lima Sopoaga is back fit.
• Thomas Young is back in full training.
• Kieran Brookes should be okay for the weekend. It was good to see him and Si McIntyre back in action at the weekend.
• Alex Rieder looked far more comfortable on Saturday after 13 months out. He needs game time to get up to where he was.
• Jack Willis is struggling with an ankle injury and is seeing a specialist this week.
• Rieder, Brookes, McIntyre, Michael Le Bourgeois and Ross Neal all had game time last week and we’re happy with where the squad is at the moment.
• The internationals had a bit of a break, and the guys who’ve played a lot of rugby had a bit of downtime although they trained hard last week.
• Those who haven’t played much had two games for the A team so it’s been very good preparation and the proof will be in the pudding this weekend.
• We’ve had players back recently and we’re certainly getting back to having selection headaches - whereas the only headaches I’ve had previously is trying to put 23 out!
• There are some decisions to be made this week.