Dean Ryan"s in for long haul at Worcester

Tonight his team face 2012 champions Harlequins. Television punditry was a low-stress occupation by comparison.

So far, Worcester have lost with honour to Leicester and in the last minute to London Irish. But if this goes on, a familiar place in the league’s nether regions will again beckon.

“There is no doubt this side can play some football,” said Ryan. “But we need to get some clarity around our roles and discipline around the detail, making sure everyone knows what he is doing. I don’t think we are a million miles off getting a win.”

For Ryan this is a long-term journey. On those grounds, it is imperative the turnover of coaches at Sixways – Ryan is the fourth in six years after John Brain, Mike Ruddock and Richard Hill – ceases.

Worcester chairman Cecil Duckworth persuaded Ryan to end an exile prompted by family concerns and bruised feelings on his departure from Gloucester in 2009.

His playing record shows him as the most abrasive forward in England with Wasps and Newcastle. His four caps in the England back row would surely have been more but for an unenviable reputation that was somehow essential to the man himself.

Duckworth prompted Ryan to ask himself “why not?” instead of “why?” Ultimately he may be asking himself the latter once more if his players cannot lift themselves up the table, though his criticism of Worcester’s development policy suggests this is going to take years.

Article source: http://www.espnscrum.com/england/rugby/story/194311.html

Dean Ryan"s in for long haul at Worcester