Hughes urges Bears to bounce back from round one defeat

The number eight missed the Gallagher Premiership season opener at the Ricoh Arena through injury but has returned to full training ahead of the round two clash.

The Bears completed a rare league double of Worcester during the 2019/20 season, but Hughes is expecting a typically physical encounter this weekend.

'Physical encounter'

“In the Wasps game, we threw it away at the end, but during the game we created a lot of opportunities to score points - we came away with some points, but we have reviewed it since, and the focus now is Worcester.

“Worcester are going to bring that physical challenge, so it’s about how we’re going to match it and how we are going to react from the loss at the weekend, and I think the boys are going to react really well.

“They are always a physical side and last season when we played them, it was two tough games. I think it was 13-9 at home and then another tough, physical game at Sixways, so we’re expecting them to bring that same challenge.

Homecoming

“JT (Jonathan Thomas) was obviously here, and he’ll know the ins and outs of the way we play, but it’s about whether or not they can deal with it.

“Everyone is excited about going back home, and although we don’t have the crowd there, we know they are there in spirit and we want to keep Ashton Gate as fortress.”