Nick Kennedy feels his side are improving defensively despite Saturday’s 37-14 reverse against Edinburgh.
The Exiles have now lost six straight matches after defeat in this European Challenge Cup opener, conceding at least 28 points on each occasion.
But while Kennedy was left frustrated again, he can see some positive signs.
Here is what he said to the media after the match.
On the game…
Disappointed with the result. I thought we were definitely better in areas at times. Our defence was good off open play and then it was a similar story to what happened before, a defensive lapse off our kick chase or off our set piece that ended up hurting us. Whilst there was improvement in areas, there was still the same problems going on out there in others which is frustrating and disappointing.
On Joe Cokanasiga’s performance…
He came out in the second half and tried to take the game to them. He had a couple of lovely runs and showed his pace out there which was great.
On defensive issues again…
At this level it’s ruthless. One little error and it results in a try. We learned that in our first game back up in the big time as it were and we’re working very hard to minimise those lapses and get rid of them. We’re working on our defence still. It’s not something we can change overnight. We’re putting a lot of time and effort into it and it’s one of those things that is going to take a little bit of time.
On failing to turn a good spell of pressure into a try just after half-time…
It was a key moment. We had to take some points out of that possession, we needed to get up off our feet. A few of the boys laying down off our feet and keep working there and come away with some points. That was a turning point for us.
On if the score reflects the game…
It was difficult at the end there. We conceded two quick ones right at the end. But the scoreboard doesn’t lie and Edinburgh took their tries well. They had that period in the first half when the did very well and they ended the game strong too. Congratulations to them on the result.
On Tom Woolstencroft’s debut…
It was a mixed bag from Tom. Our line-out didn’t function at first and then the boys put it right but he worked extremely hard and that’s all we asked of him.
On if it was a big ask today given all the injuries…
No. I’d say at times we were very much in the game. That turning point down there, if we score there it goes 21-23 and we get loads of energy from the try and things could’ve looked slightly different. But the team out there were good and could’ve won the game. It’s just those lapses in a concentration, off a kick chase, off a line-out, just gifting them yards and tries like that.
On if that was down to Edinburgh’s experience…
They took their tries well. For us it wasn’t a missed tackle try it was actually a slight system error which gave them the space out wide, which then they finished well. They’ve got some very good players and some powerful runners out wide and they punished us there.
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