Worcester boss Mike Ruddock admits his side "have to deliver" against Leeds Carnegie next week after falling to London Wasps.
Worcester boss seeks results against Leeds after Wasps defeat
Worcester boss Mike Ruddock admits his side "have to deliver" against Leeds Carnegie next week after falling to London Wasps on Saturday.
The Warriors face relegation if they lose in Yorkshire, which would end their six-season spell in the Guinness Premiership.
They are two points adrift of Leeds in the standings, but landed a losing bonus point against title play-off hopefuls Wasps at Sixways, suffering a 24-20 defeat after trailing by 18 points in the early stages.
Difficult
"Leeds are a well-organised team and they will be very difficult on their own
patch," said Ruddock. "But we have to deliver, it is as simple as that.
"If there was a league table for passion, desire and commitment, we would be top of it after our performance today. We went toe to toe with one of the best teams in Europe.
"We went 21-3 behind, and a lot of sides would have dropped their heads, but we dominated the game after that.
"I wanted the win today, and we weren't a million miles away after a bad start. There were so many positives, but unfortunately it is another loss and the league table doesn't lie."
Wasps' victory lifted them back into the play-off places, where they sit one point ahead of London Irish, who host Leeds on Sunday.
Dominic Waldouck was the star performer for Wasps, posting two tries, but rugby director Tony Hanks admits his team lost their momentum when the centre went off injured after 27 minutes.
Outstanding
"I thought Dom was outstanding," said Hanks. "We lost our shape in attack and defence when he went off.
"He's got a real good feel for the game and is playing with a lot of confidence. I think he is due a chance (with England).
"You don't come to Worcester expecting a bonus point, but it is disappointing because we started well enough to give ourselves the chance of one.
"We've kept ourselves in the hunt in terms of the play-offs, and we have a huge fixture next weekend against a team (Bath) that is playing very well."
Wasps coach Shaun Edwards added: "We started like a house on fire, but then we were hanging on at the end.
"If we could keep the intensity up for 80 minutes, we would be very dangerous.
But we are playing in fits and starts."
