TOM Willis has demanded more “consistency” from Wasps ahead of their clash with Worcester Warriors this weekend – having lost their last four matches in all competitions.
Wasps produced another Jekyll and Hyde display in defeat at home to Gloucester last time out as they almost staged a stunning second-half comeback only to eventually lose 33-35 at the Coventry Building Society Arena.
And Willis feels consistency is the key to turning Wasps’ form around – who now find themselves in ninth place in the Gallagher Premiership table and begin their European campaign the following weekend.
Willis said: “It’s about finding that consistency as a team – putting in that 80-minute performance – we had a very good first-half in the Quins game and then the Gloucester game where we turned up in the second-half.
“Worcester will be a good test for us, the Premiership is all about momentum, hopefully we can get a good run of performances and wins together.
“Hopefully, we can finish strong against Worcester and that should give us some good momentum going into the European games against a couple of top clubs.”
Jacob Umaga scored two late tries in the club’s defeat against Gloucester adding to scores from Thomas Young, Gabriel Oghre and the returning Alfie Barbeary as Wasps came away with two bonus points.
The Wasps number 8 was disappointed with his side’s display in the opening 40 minutes at the CBS Arena and felt they lost too many collisions.
Willis added: “It was a very frustrating game – the first-half especially isn’t a performance we want to put in as a Wasps squad – we were well off the pace.
“We don’t want to put ourselves in positions where we have to pull off remarkable comebacks – we want to be building strong performances right from minute one through to minute 80.
“Gloucester were winning more collisions than us on both sides of the ball – we need to be stronger there – they were getting on the front foot and we needed to stop their momentum.”
Despite Wasps indifferent start to the campaign – Willis has impressed in the back-row this season and wants to keep improving his game.
He said: “Stats only tell you so much – for me there’s lots in my game that I want to improve that I’m constantly talking to coaches about.
“I want to keep improving the defensive side of my game – my turnovers and tackles – I can’t just be offering stuff with my ball carries.
“I’m happy so far but I just want to keep on building – it’s been great having Alfie [Barbeary] back in training.
“He’s a top player, we’re always talking and we’re always learning off each other – we help each other out.”
Wasps travel to Worcester on Saturday, December 4 with kick-off at 3pm at Sixways Stadium.
