THE two week break from rugby has acted as a brutal reminder of the improvements required if Worcester are to hit their season goals says Warriors' head coach Jonathan Thomas.

The Welshman insists a top six finish remains the main aim this season but with the side currently sitting in 11th position in the Gallagher Premiership table, Thomas admits there's a simple solution, they need to be better.

"One of our visions is to be a top six team and at the moment we're eleventh, so there is clearly some way to go," he said.

"Acknowledging where we are and being honest about our situation is how we approach things, there's no point being fluffy or trying to kid yourself, the honest answer is we need to get better.

"We have good players and with some of the recruitment we will have better players next year, we have mentioned that the squad will look stronger next season."

Warriors head to Kingsholm this weekend to rivals Gloucester Rugby, the one side beneath them in the table and after last weekend's fixture with Newcastle Falcons was cancelled due to Covid, it's been a tough two weeks training for the players.

"But for now we have to get better and part of that is how we train and our conditioning," he added.

"We have worked the boys really hard these two weeks because we need to be fitter and more clinical.

"We talk every week about missed opportunities so that can only change by hard work, not just waving a magic wand, so we have been working hard on those things.

"And then also we have used the time to get some boys freshened up and recovered from bumps an bruises."

As far as an injury update goes, there are no major concerns heading into the M5 derby with the Cherry and Whites but Thomas revealed that Chris Ashton is very much in the their thoughts to make his debut and Francois Hougaard will be available again after injury.

Billy Searle remains out but is expected to return next week, all being well.