WORCESTER Warriors' head coach Jonathan Thomas was beaming post-match after his side responded to last weekend's nightmare at Northampton Saints by securing a bonus-point win over Sale Sharks.

Worcester's Jamie Shillcock and Duhan van der Merwe both scored a try in each half to end a run of five Gallagher Premiership defeats and move into tenth in the table.

Thomas admitted the build-up to the game had been different to normal and a focus on the simple things proved to be a successful one.

"I'm just really delighted for the players," he said.

"It's been a tough few weeks but there are a lot of great things happening at the club and we have had some real adversity in recent weeks but results haven't been good enough and the boys were desperate to turn it around.

"We didn't talk much this week in terms of tactically or technically, we just talked about playing with soul and some warriors spirit and bringing great positive energy to the game."

Thomas has said before that confidence has been a big issue for this side but now the Welshman hopes the result can act as a platform to build on.

"The game is all about confidence and we haven't had much of that," he added.

"There's been lots of factors for what's been going on but we just needed to win and to win with a bonus-point is huge.

"I am not getting carried away but this is something to build on, we have to build and grow on this now, we don't want to be the team that wins one then loses five."

The game saw the return of England duo Ted Hill and Ollie Lawrence and they both had a big impact on the pitch on Saturday.

Hill has been out for the last three games after being suspended following his red card in the defeat to Gloucester last month but returned to lead his side to a win.

Thomas admitted the team have missed their skipper.

"We have missed Ted big time," he said.

"He is one of the finest young players in the country and our captain. We have missed him and a lot of our leaders but he was awesome today and at seven as well."

The head coach added that he was astonished that centre Lawrence even played today.

"Massive shout out to Ollie Lawrfence, how we played today i have no idea," he furthered.

"We were told that it was a 30-day injury but he is back in seven days - he's unbelievable, huge effort from him."