WARRIORS head coach Jonathan Thomas focused on the positives from last weekend's defeat to Exeter.

Speaking to the media ahead of the side's next game, against Leicester at Sixways, Thomas said there had been opportunities to take more out of last week's game and that he was confident ahead of Saturday's fixture.

He said: "The final scoreline was disappointing but, when you look at the game, there were a number of opportunities that we created in the first 25 minutes.

"We made four entries into their Red Zone and three or four line breaks but we made handling errors, passes didn’t stick or we turned over possession.

"Sandy Park is always a difficult place to go and when you play against a side like Exeter away from home you have to take your opportunities.

"Exeter also turned over ball as well but they are a side that has been together for a long time, they know each other well and they worked hard within their systems.

"We had a lot of new combinations and new players out there and after we had conceded a couple of tries we became a little ragged and started to play as individuals and we didn’t stay within our systems.

"We were very honest with the players in the review. It wasn’t a lack of effort, it was a lack of teamship. That is something that we have to work hard on."

On the injury front, Thomas provided updates on a number of key players.

Noah Heward has a tight quad and is going to have a scan while Willi Heinz took a "little bit of a knock" at Exeter.

He added: "Duhan van der Merwe and Rory Sutherland both tightened up a bit at Exeter so we took them off but they will be fine this weekend.

"Jamie Shillcock took a bang to a knee.

"Kyle Hatherell came off with a head injury at Exeter. He’s going through his head injury assessment protocols at the moment but it looks promising for the weekend.

"Chris Ashton was on course to be involved last week but suffered a bit of a hiccup in training last Wednesday but he trained today."

On Duhan van der Merwe and Rory Sutherland’s debuts at Exeter, he said: "The biggest thing is that they got a hit out.

"They have only been with us for three weeks or so, so they are trying to get back up to speed after a break following the South Africa tour.

"It’s important that they get game time.

"They are both quality players and they will get better as the weeks go on."