Richards: “The boys are disappointed”
Dean Richards insists his Newcastle Falcons side are better than Saturday’s performance in Gloucester, having suffered a 32-6 Aviva Premiership loss there on Saturday.
Determined to extend their winning run at home to seven games when Worcester arrive in the North East on Friday, the director of rugby is adamant his troops will bounce back from what he admits was a below-par showing in the West Country.
Richards said: “The first half killed us in a lot of respects and the boys, more than anything, are disappointed.
“We are a far better side than that, there had been a lot of changes in key positions with Giamba Venditti and Craig Willis coming in, and two new second rows.
“It was difficult with so many changes, but at the same time these boys need to be able to slot in seamlessly.
“It didn’t quite happen. We will put a line under it, learn from it and carry on as we did the week before.”
Withdrawing Andy Goode from the line-up at short notice, Richards explained: “Andy had been struggling all week. He said the night before the game that he was absolutely knackered, and common sense prevailed in us making the change.
“He should be available next week, along with Sean Robinson and a few of the other boys. That does make things more stable.”
Frustrated by some of the officiating, the Director of Rugby added: “I didn’t understand how we couldn’t get on the right side of the referee, and at 25-6 down at half time it was out there to play for.
“We just couldn’t get on the right side of the ref, and when the calls aren’t going your way it makes a big difference.
“Gloucester stopped us playing and we were the masters of our own downfall in that respect. We have away a couple of easy penalties, and we have to understand how to play them.
“More than anything, we made a lot of changes and didn’t get the rub of the green from the referee. We never seem to from these boys, but there you go.”