DEAN Ryan says he was proud of Worcester Warriors’ performance against Ospreys despite suffering a last-minute defeat.

Warriors led for much of the match at the Liberty Stadium before a late Ross Jones try stole victory for the home side.

But the new Sixways director of rugby was full of praise for his team after a disciplined performance in South Wales.

He said: “We’re really pleased. It was a major step forward from our previous two games and I’m really proud of the lads.”

Ryan added: “Considering this group is coming together and we’re starting something, that was a different level to what we’ve produced in the past and I think the guys can feel the positive changes happening.”

Warriors’ preparation ahead of the match was dealt a huge blow after the team coach caught fire on the M5.

For much of the morning it had looked as though the match would be cancelled but, after discussions between officials from both clubs, the match got under way at 4.30pm.

However, according to Ryan, the morning’s events had no impact on the game.

He continued: “It didn’t affect the game at all.

“Ideally, I wouldn’t want us to be stood at the side of the motorway but we got on with it.

“We had done too much work to allow it to affect us.

“For players to get their preparation right and be that physical and sharp when we’d been on the road since 9am is fantastic.

“In terms of the journey we’re starting, that was a nice first chapter and we’ve got a lot to be proud of.”