‘We’ll have to be at the top of our game’ - Oliver

Bears Women travel to Sixways Stadium after a five week international break with Oliver’s side sat in sixth in the table after picking up three wins and three defeats from the opening six rounds of the competition.

“It will definitely be a tough game on Sunday up at Worcester, it’s been a long five weeks off but it’s given us a chance to almost have a second pre-season and really work on the areas that we need to improve on, said Oliver.

“We will be confident going into the game but we’ve got to be at the top of our game straight away.

“We’ve lacked an eighty minute performance so far this season and that’s something we need to improve on. In the game against Sarries we were on top of them, both in and play and on the scoreboard, but we let them play and the momentum swing and the game got away from us.

“Against Loughborough I thought our defence was outstanding and that’s what got us the win. Defence wins games and that was evident to see in that fixture but I don’t feel as though we have replicated that level of defence since that game, so it has been a big focus of our time off as we prepare for Worcester.

“We’ve also been away is looking at the attacking side of our game and how we can break down defensive systems with our phase play and then punish teams when the opportunity presents itself.

“It’s difficult what to expect from Worcester this weekend. They’ve recently appointed Jo Yapp, who is an outstanding coach who is hugely respected and will have made a massive difference to those girls in five weeks.

“We’ve done our analysis and research on Worcester, but we expect them to be different than what we have been used to over the years. There are no easy games in this league and we’re going to have to be on ball from the first minute if we’re to go out there and get a victory.”

Bristol Bears Women's next home game sees the West Country derby come to Shaftesbury Park for the first time as Kim Oliver's side take on Gloucester-Hartpury on Saturday, December 7th (12pm).