WARRIORS’ head coach Carl Hogg believes the dismal opening half-hour at Yorkshire Carnegie has brought a positive backlash from the players.

Worcester have brushed aside Cornish Pirates (62-26) and Moseley (50-10) after being given a wake-up call by Carnegie last month in the Greene King IPA Championship.

Warriors trailed 14-0 at Headingley, Leeds, before hitting back with four second-half tries to win 36-17.

Hogg said: “I think Yorkshire Carnegie was a learning curve for us.

“It was in a difficult period because it was post-Christmas and we did not have our normal build-up to a Saturday.

“We sat down afterwards, reflected on the match and learned some lessons from it.

“As individuals, we have got to make sure we arrive in the right space at 3pm on a Saturday afternoon.

“If we are honest with ourselves, we probably did not get it right over the Yorkshire week.

“We have gone back into the Championship programme and been able to keep momentum with good results.

“In the last two weeks, we have got momentum in the first 20 minutes of games.

“That is something we will be looking to bring again.”

With a break from Championship action, Hogg has stepped up to oversee today’s match against Pontypridd in the British & Irish Cup quarter-finals (3pm).

Former Gloucester coach Hogg said: “Pontypridd are a difficult side — they are well organised and well balanced. It will be a good test for us.

“Ten to 15 years ago, Pontypridd were playing in Europe and were a force in the European game. They will come out all fired up.

“We have watched and analysed them. They are a very well-organised side, have a good attacking shape and a good set-piece — and it will be a good challenge for us.

“We recognise this will be a cup final for them with an England-versus-Wales mentality and it is something we are aware of.

“We are very respectful of Pontypridd — they came through their pool stages very successfully. We will need to be on our money to get a performance.”

Worcester suffered disappointment in their last cup match — the Cavaliers’ defeat against Saracens Storm in the Aviva A-League final at Sixways.

Hogg said: “Saracens was a difficult night and the weather conditions dictated it was always going to be a kick-chase game and there was not much margin to play attacking, inventive rugby.

“We learned you have to be able to shrink your game when the weather dictates but also expand your game when it suits.

“We will have to manage the game differently, play in the right areas of the field and apply pressure on the opposition.”