Side’s fine all-round display built on mix of solidity and flair

HAVING been relegated from the bogeyman list last season Worcester made a decent effort to get back on it with a powerful display on Saturday.

They were willing adversaries and if Billy Searle had worn his kicking boots then we might have been put under even more pressure.

The disallowed interception try was probably the turning point and after their yellow card we ran away with the game and should be very pleased to get that bonus point win.

Two things stood out for me: First, the way that we are developing a winning mentality that combines pragmatism with flair.

For all the talk of expansive rugby the way that we defended and executed line out drives on Saturday was another reason why we emerged victorious.

We are developing an awesome forward unit that dominates set piece, is solid in the defence but is also full of ball carriers, personified by the evergreen legend himself, John Afoa. Like a fine wine he seems to be getting better with age so let’s hope he doesn’t get corked too soon!

Secondly, the scintillating performance of Ioan Lloyd. His ability at such a young age is frightening! Not only does he have the pace, the footwork and the kicking skills, but he has the intelligence and swagger to know what to do with it all and the try saving tackle in the first half shows that he also has the physicality.

The way that Pat was purring about his performance after the game tells you all you need to know and if he stays injury free then we could well be seeing the development of one of the rugby greats. He is also testament to the fantastic work of Bristol’s Academy set up and if they continue to roll thoroughbreds like Ioan off the production line then our future looks very bright indeed!

After the disappointing yet inevitable announcement that Bristol will enter Tier 3 restrictions it looks like the earliest fans might get to watch some live rugby will be against the Falcons on New Year’s Day. I’m not optimistic but for now we will continue to make do with the BT Sport fake noise and ommentary from Austin Healey, which some people may say is one and the same thing! C’mon Bris!

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