'Warriors will learn from every win and defeat'

Worcester Warriors returned to professional rugby in September nearly three years after suspension and administration

Worcester Warriors head coach Matt Everard says his newly-constructed squad will continue to use every game as a learning experience after looking "jittery" in their narrow Champ defeat at Hartpury.

Following their opening win over local rivals Coventry, Warriors were beaten 28-25 in Gloucestershire after leading 10-8 at half-time, despite losing two players to the sin bin in the first period.

Although they out-scored their hosts by four tries to three, Warriors' discipline ultimately cost them as Hartpury fly-half Harry Bazalgette's three penalties proved decisive.

"Hartpury are a brilliant team and have a great home record," Everard told BBC Hereford and Worcester.

"We looked a bit jittery at times and that's my job to take that off the players."

A converted Harvey Cuckson try put Worcester nine points in front early in the second half at 17-8 but 20 unanswered points from Hartpury turned things around.

Roma Zheng's second score for Warriors did bring them within three points with six minutes to go but they were unable to deny the hosts victory.

"They're so desperate to do well and make the fans and the club proud, maybe sometimes that gets the better of them," Everard said.

"So I need to take that off them - whatever that feeling is - and let them go out there and express themselves."

Everard added their poor discipline in Saturday's game was a contrast to what he had seen so far.

"When you're really well disciplined, you're really hard to beat and we've been really good up to this point so we'll have a look and see if there are any trends," he added.

"When you're playing most of the first half with 13 men it's going to be challenging."

The former Leicester and Wasps coach reiterated that Warriors' progression from a scratch side to serious Champ contenders was going to take time, having only started building the squad ready for the club's comeback in July.

"We started 80-odd days ago and progression isn't going to be a straight line," he said.

"We're a learning, developing group - you learn when you win and you learn when you lose and it'll be a good reflection of the group how we turn up and how we want to be [in the next game]."

Warriors are at home to Ampthill in their next Champ match on Friday [19:45 BST].