Steve Borthwick discusses the 10-point, 16-26 defeat to Sale Sharks in Round 5 of the 2022/23 Gallagher Premiership campaign.
Speaking after the match at Mattioli Woods Welford Road, the Leicester Tigers Head Coach said: “We’re disappointed not to get the result, disappointed we couldn’t deliver a win for the supporters that turned up today.”
“It was a hard fought game against a quality side, who have showed how good a side they are this season so far and remain unbeaten.
“There was not much in it in the end but we didn’t convert opportunities today into points and Sale punished us.”
Borthwick pointed towards the third quarter of the match as the crucial period, when the visitors scored back-to-back tries in the 13 minutes after the break.
“I think the difference in the game came immediately after half-time,” said the Tigers Head Coach.
“They took their chances brilliantly and it was a crucial period, when they capitalised and took back the lead.
Discussing his side’s start to the campaign, Borthwick admitted there was much to learn for the new Tigers squad.
“We’re a team that’s building, we know that and are continually working on building cohesion within the group,” said Borthwick.
“Today we had three players making their first starts of the season, including two making their first appearance and another their first in the league.
“We knew it would be a big challenge against an in-form Sharks side.
“There are new combinations throughout the team; each week we have guys playing their first games alongside others.
“We need to keep working, developing as a group.”
Asked about suffering three losses from the opening five games, Borthwick said that nothing changes in the way the squad will continue to review, debrief and plan for the next game.
“We have always looked at games in isolation,” he said.
“We review our last performance, debrief as a group and plan for the next match while working on what needs improving.
“That is the case, win or lose … we don’t dwell on the last game, we don’t get caught up in victories or defeats.
“We will come in next week and continue working hard, together, to be better.”
