Gloucester to remain positive despite Leicester defeat - Matt Kvesic

Gloucester back-row Matt Kvesic stated that the team is upbeat despite their shocking defeat to Leicester Tigers in the Aviva Premiership encounter at Kingsholm last Friday.

The cherry and whites jerseys were in a comfortable position, having a lead of 31-7 over Leicester in the first 45 minutes, but what transpired in the final quarter had put Greig Laidlaw's men in shock.

Leicester scored as many as four converted tries and a penalty in the last 15 minutes with JP Pietersen, Sam Harrison, Brendon O'Connor and Freddie Burns contributing to complete a 31-38 victory.

Admitting that the defeat had a demoralising effect on the team, the England international urged his teammates to take the positive from challenging a top team like Leicester.

"At the end of the game, the mood was very low. It was embarrassing, and the boys didn't need telling," England international flanker Kvesic said, ahead of a return to his former club.

"We've tried to be as positive as possible. We know the second half wasn't great, but the way we started the game and how we played was some of the best rugby Gloucester have played for a number of years.

"That is the Gloucester we want to be this season - we want to challenge teams. Leicester are a top-quality team, and they were chasing us around the park for the first 40 minutes.

"In the second half we froze a little bit. Maybe we tried to shut up shop, rather than keep going, as we had done in the first half."

Gloucester's next game is against Worcester Warriors at Sixways on 9th September and director of rugby David Humphreys has retained the same side that lost against Leicester.

Since 2010, Gloucester has never defeated Worcester in an away game and Humphreys is hoping for a full fledged performance this time around.

"Every week, we know there is a huge challenge ahead. If we're going to win the game, we will have to be at our very best, as we were for the first 50 minutes of last Friday night's game.

"(Worcester) are a good team. We played them in Europe and in the Premiership last year. They have a good coaching team in place.

"We know what their strengths are, but it's about playing to our strengths, and we've placed a real focus on reproducing the positive elements of the first 50 minutes of last week's performance."

Meanwhile, Worcester have made three changes to their lineup for the Friday's game with prop James Johnston, lock Donncha O'Callaghan and back-row forward Alafoti Faosiliva drafted into the starting XV.