TRYING to solve Worcester Warriors’ defensive problems has taken longer than expected, admits director of rugby Gary Gold.

Warriors’ defence has improved slightly since the arrival of the former South Africa assistant coach, highlighted by last Saturday’s 25-19 Aviva Premiership victory against Bath.

Warriors have played seven top tier matches under Gold’s rule, conceding 209 points at an average of 29.86 per game.

And prior to Gold’s involvement at Sixways, Warriors shipped 409 points from 13 Premiership matches at an average of 31.46.

“I haven’t had a lot of time,” said Gold, who has helped steer Warriors to Premiership safety.

“The defensive change hasn’t been as quick as I was hoping.

“You are always going to get a try or two against the run of play but you don’t want to be leaking too many tries,” said Gold.

But the improvements in Warriors’ attacking game have been much more evident.

In 13 Premiership matches under head coach Carl Hogg, Warriors bagged 234 points at an average of 18 points per game.

Warriors have scored 195 points in Gold’s seven Premiership fixtures at the helm at an average of 27.86.

They have also picked up crucial wins against Saracens, Bristol and Bath to secure Premiership rugby for next term.

Gold said: “I think coaching a defence is probably more systematic than having to coach an attack.

“An attack is also very often about the personnel to execute what you are trying to do.

“If you don’t have a nine or 10 who can take the ball to the line and ask the questions that’s difficult to coach. That has a huge effect on the way you coach an attack.”

Gold has been in charge of teams in the past who have been defensively resolute but lacked punch in attack.

He said: “I think we’re very lucky we’ve got great attacking players and guys who are very good on that side of the ball.

“I have sat with the other problem when we can have had a great defensive record but couldn’t score tries.

“I almost feel I can come up with more solutions to a defensive problem than I can in trying to create something in attack.

“I think I would rather be in our position at the moment. In attack, repetition is critical.”