Solomons defends selection policy

WORCESTER director of rugby Alan Solomons fought his corner after fierce criticism from Sale for his starting XV.

“We have had no notifications to the contrary so each club is free to prepare for this competition in any way they wish,” he stated.

“After a difficult first block of Premiership fixtures, the players were on their knees so we chose to rest our players for the European games and it paid off with a couple of wins.

“Sale played it differently as they chose to play their first choice players in Europe and after playing eight consecutive games, they are now resting them.

“I don’t think the game lacked physicality especially with Josh Beaumont in their lineup as he made a huge difference to them.” Solomons added: “Our players have had a three week rest and the rustiness showed in that opening period. Clearly they need more game time and we need to address the heavy penalty count against us.

“We now go to Leicester and it’s irrelevant we won there in September.”

TEAMS

WORCESTER: Shillcock 8, Heem 7, Lawrence 7, Venter 8 (Olivier 63, 6), Adams 8, Weir 7 (Humphreys 54, 6), Hougaard 7 (Heaney 54, 6), Black 6 (Bower 46, 6), Singleton 7 (Annett 51, 6), Mudariki 7 (Milasinovich 32, 6), Bresler 7 (Phillips 52-80), Phillips 7 (Barry 46, 6), Cox 7, Van Velze (c) 7, Lewis 8 (Williams 66, 6)

SALE: Reed 7, Roebuck 5, Doherty 5, James 5, Odogwu 5 (N.Pope 76, 6), Wilkinson 5, Warr 7 (Sturgess 63, 6), Bristow 6 (J.Pope 76, 6), Langdon 5 (Dolly 63, 6), Tarus 6 (Jones 52, 6), Nott 6 (Birch 76, 6), Ostrikov 7 (Postlewhaite 54, 6), Dugdale 6 (Leatherbarrow 61, 6), Beaumont 7, Curry (c) 7

REFEREE: Adam Leal

ATTENDANCE: 6,606

Star man

Jamie Shillcock – Worcester