WORCESTER Warriors must learn how to “win ugly” in a bid to improve their lowly position in the Aviva Premiership, according to lock Will Spencer.

The Sixways side missed the chance to climb above Northampton Saints into 10th place with a win last Friday as they crashed to a heavy 46-25 home defeat to Bath.

Spencer insisted Warriors, under recently-appointed boss Alan Solomons, want to “entertain” fans with free-flowing rugby and boosted their try-scoring count with three tries against Bath.

But the 25-year-old admitted they cannot expect to win if they don’t come out on top in the collisions as Bath overpowered second-from-bottom Warriors.

“We have got the links of Ryan Mills and Jamie Shillcock and a back three which is incredibly dangerous, so we want them to get the ball and attack,” Spencer said.

“But we have also got to realise that we need to win ugly when we have to and be good up front and in the set-piece.

“We tried to play too much rugby without winning the physical battle first.

“We want to play entertaining rugby and score lots of tries as we have got the backs to do that.

“But we have to make sure our defence is good too.

“We are still a working progress, but we are getting there.”

Flanker David Denton, hooker Joe Taufete’e and wing Perry Humphreys went over for Warriors, but Bath proved too strong as they ran in six tries.

Leading 13-6 at the break, the visitors crossed five times in a dominate second period as they exploited Worcester’s defensive frailties.

“I am very disappointed,” said Spencer who came through Bath’s academy.

“We didn’t fire any shots which we spoke about beforehand.

“Full credit to Bath as they played some really good rugby.

“But there were periods in that where we were in the ascendancy and were well on top of them but we did not really come away with much from it.

“We felt like we were not in a bad place at half-time even though we were coming in losing.

“We had to defend a lot without getting too much reward.

“But in the second half we just fell off a few tackles and you can’t do that against quality players as they hurt you.

“All of a sudden they got a few good tries and the game got away from you.”

Warriors have now conceded 47 tries in 13 league games, but Spencer was quick to throw his support behind defence and kicking strategy coach Omar Mouneimne.

“Of course we don’t like conceding tries,” said Spencer whose side host Connacht in the European Challenge Cup on Saturday (3pm).

“But I think Omar is a fantastic defence coach and takes it very personally when we don’t defend well.

“There is nothing wrong with the system it’s just players breaking tackles and individual errors.

“It will always be a big work-on for us but we have put in some really huge defensive performances so far this season.

“We were a little bit off on Friday, but I am sure Omar and the guys will put it right in the week.”