Worcester Warriors have grown since early Hartpury defeat

Warriors will kick off the second half of their Champ Rugby game by hosting Hartpury this Saturday (January 24).

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Hartpury claimed a three-point victory in the reverse fixture, as Warriors' rued the number of penalties conceded, going as far as to bring a referee into training in an attempt to correct the issue.

The Warriors boss feels his side have grown significantly from the defeat, which was only their second competitive match following their return.

"It was interesting watching the Hartpury game back – round two at their place. They beat us," he said.

"We have grown substantially, I feel, as a team.

"As each week passes by we are getting more connected and more cohesive as a group, watching that game back and watching us train across the last couple of weeks, I definitely feel we have come on leaps and bounds.

"I think we are growing as a group, I think we are - both as a playing group and a management team."

Despite being pleased with the internal growth, the coach was also complimentary of Hartpury's abilities.

He said: "Hartpury are a really good team aren’t they? They’re hard to beat, the way they play – they have got some really talented players within their group and a really good coaching team.

"Martin Haag has been around the block, he coached me from the age of 24 to 28.

"I know him well and he’s a really good operator, very experienced. They’re a really good outfit, got a very, very good set piece and a really tactical, smart kicking game with the half-backs they have."

Everard added that Saturday's visitors have grown since the first meeting of the two sides, in their own right.

"You obviously will pull and learn from your experiences from the first time you play them. The likelihood is that will have also been a good few weeks away," he said.

"We have grown a lot since then, as have Hartpury. If you look at their last set of results it is pretty impressive.

"We will reflect on our previous experiences with them but they will also grow as a team."