The club has faced a tough test in Munster, a lower league test in Jersey and I went to the launch of the Premiership season - who came out on top?
It certainly wasn't the Warriors - or was it?
Those that know me will be aware that I am generally the positive one, that guy that can find the silver lining after a big defeat, who can see an opportunity when the players are not on top form and I usually let my heart predict us winning a game rather than my heads defeatist Big L - this season is going to be no different.
Social media is great, I saw a post following the Munster game goading people to write something positive, I was really chuffed to see that people who were actually at the game (this poster was not) were writing positive tales - mostly about Ryan Lamb!!
These are some samples of post Munster Tweets to @rugbyworcs:
The Premiership Rugby guys know how to throw a party. Nice goody bag supplied on arrival (A Gilbert Ruck Sack with plenty inside) and then we had front row seats to see Martin Bayfield discuss last season and the coming season with a joiner, a winner and an owner:
Mr Bayfield did confirm that Rugby Tonight will now be on a Wednesday night and that they will be doing highlight programmes on a Saturday and Sunday night.
So, what is there to be positive about? It would seem reality is trying to kick us at every corner; Dean Ryan has gone, Francois Hougaard is injured, Bryce Heem is injured, Chris Pennell is injured, we lost to French giants Clermount, Championship Jersey and Irish Giants Munster and the home shirt isn't on sale in the shop yet - let alone a new cotton version (the latter being a joke). With all of this going against us how can I still be positive for the coming season?
Positive 1 - Dean Ryan had a plan; and Carl Hogg was part of it, as was the rest of the coaching team and the players we have brought in.
At the Premiership launch event in Twickenham i was lucky enough to sit down and chat to Mr. Hogg and he put it very simply - Dean Ryan was the story teller, the back room staff and players were actually performing his story. The only difference now is we have new story tellers.
Positive 2 - Chris Pennell was a little held back last season due to what has now become a neck injury. Where have we heard this before? Yes following his ankle injury which was followed by his best season ever and playing every minute of season season apart from 15. We are in for great things from Mr. P when he returns
Positive 3 - GJ is our leader on the pitch and he is feeling super confident. I don't think I have ever met anyone more laid back, especially in a room full of people wanting your attention and sound bite.
As a captain I think he is fantastic and a solid player. He knows how to bring players along with him and when the dirty work is needed, his head is always in the mix.
Positive 4 - I speak with a lot of rugby fans and spent a great day with 10 premiership fans as passionate about their team as I am about the Warriors and not one of them could see us being relegated. Now it may just be because Falcons were not in attendance but the general consensus was they would be going down with us to battle it out with Bristol and (all except 2) thought Gloucester were going to be sucked into the battle to stay up. We will see.
Positive 5 - We do not have Bristol's fixture list. Andy Robinson confirmed they are playing their home games on Friday nights and Sunday's because of the Wendyball and we do have the current champions for our first game but; Quins away, Saints home, Wasps away, Exeter home & Sarries at home - I do not think your first September (back) in the Premierhsip could get any tougher.
Positive 6 - Tigers do not fair well on plastic pitches so we may have a home chance of beating them this season. One Tigers fans explained "Now you (Warriors) have a plastic pitch that is three games we can't win next season"
Positive 7 - We have recruited well. I agree that there seem to be some imbalances; 100 back rowers and only 2 fit scrum halves but our "Ins" list, includes: Will Spencer, Ben T'eo, Jackson Willison, Mama & Faosiliva which does seem to improve our stock when compared to some that left; O'Shea, Fatiaki, Stevens, Gilbert and Sanderson
Positive 8 - Statistically we didn't have a bad last campaign:
Official Opta stats for 2015/2016 show Warriors players in the Top 3 for:
Carries - Chris Pennell
Metres - Chris Pennell
Offloads - Bryce Heem
Breaks - Cooper Vuna
Though we were also 1st, 6th & 10th for penalties.
Positive 9 - We may have lost the games but we have won the experience
Be honest, preseason games do not win you anything. The game in France was preceded by a 7 hour coach trip, Jersey we contended with terrible weather & Munster we flew over the day of the game - not ideal and all terrible excuses for the results but, we didn't break too many players, people like Stelling, Short and Humphreys got time on the pitch and Lamb seems to have found his Play-off winning form again.
Positive 10 - This will wind up AJ, but we (fans) do not know our Best XV
I think this is a positive, it means we have competition for places. that is only a good thing and the kind of headache, engineered by Ryan but loved by Hogg.
Nailed on starters: GJ, Hougaard, Heem, Pennell - thats about it.
Probable starters: Annett, DOC, Heathcote, Vuna - based on last season
My expected starters: Ruskin, Cavubati, Olivier, T'eo
If we keep these guys fit, support comes from the likes of Schonert, Dowson, Arr, Willison and co then we are ready to cement our place in the top flight and start planning for greater things.
Back to my opening question then - who came out on top?
Come on You Warriors! Bring on the 2016 Season.
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