JOHN Brain has hit back at Coventry in the row over Worcester's scrummaging technique.

The Coundon Road club believed Worcester's strategy was a 'borderline' one in the wake of Saturday's 31-7 National One defeat at Sixways.

Coventry's director of rugby Mark Donato attacked the system and accused the officials of being too weak around the set piece.

"What Worcester do at the scrum is very borderline and they are such a high-profile side that I believe officials get sucked in to what they are doing," said Donato.

"They are taking a 45-degree stance at every scrum, and if they get that before the ball goes in, they are going to wheel you every time.

"Officials are allowing them to do it, it's clever, and we didn't win one clean ball at the scrum."

Worcester's director of rugby, however, defended the scrum technique which has been the basis of their success this season.

"We've discussed our scrum with referees at the very highest level of the game and they are happy with our strategy," said Brain.

"It is perfectly legal and I've watched the video footage from Saturday and am happy with the way we destroyed the Coventry scrum.

"Our scrum is based on power and pushing not pulling. Very few teams have the same sort of strategy as us but we know it's perfectly legal.

"It's easy sometimes to blame the officials. It's the first port of call for some coaches but what we like to do at Worcester is to look at ourselves first if we've taken a beating. Perhaps Coventry should do the same."

Worcester have a rest this week as they focus on the visit of Otley on January 10 and then the clash of the titans at Orrell a week later.

Brain is monitoring a number of injured players including Duncan Roke (knee), Chris Garrard (groin), Richard Bates (groin) and Christian Evans (broken nose).

Flanker Gavin Pfister is troubled by a niggling shoulder injury. The South African had surgery in the summer but, after a training ground collision with Ben Daly, has felt it ever since.

Pfister will this week see the specialist who performed the summer surgery but it's unlikely he will need another operation. Worcester's top try scorer may have a cortisone injection instead to get him fit for Otley.