In what was a poor game there were signs of improvement, mainly on the defensive end, from Worcester Warriors' in their defeat to Sale Sharks on Friday night.

Sale were not at their best and the conditions did not lend themselves to a free-flowing game of rugby but they got the job done in the end despite a stern defensive effort from the visitors. 

There were players who stood out and a few who didn't perform to their normal standards but either way, Marcello Cossali-Francis rates the individual performances. 

15. Chris Pennell - 5.5 

Was good under the high ball and defensively was consistent as ever but just doesn't offer the same ability to affect a game from an attacking sense that Melani Nanai does. 

With Nanai out injured for a while it seems, could get more regular game time. 

14. Perry Humphreys - 5

Didn't get much ball and it certainly wasn't a day for the wingers, that's for sure. 

Not much to comment on. 

13. Oli Morris - 7.5 

One of, if not the, stand out player for Warriors. 

He punches well above his weight physically because he isn't the biggest but he doesn't half put himself about. 

Defensively superb and a couple of times fully dropped Sale defenders back a few yards. 

Made metres with carries and was so difficult to stop and almost setup a try on the back of a barnstorming run in the second half. Brilliant again, as he has been every time he has played this season.

12. Ashley Beck - 5.5 

Defensively, you know what you get with Beck, he is very sound. 

Carried for hard yards and always offered himself up but didn't get much joy out fo the Sale midfield.

11. Nick David - 5.5 

Again, not a day for wingers but he got through a huge amount of work and is frighteningly quick but ultimately didn't get any space to work with.

10. Duncan Weir - 5.5 

First start in a while due to the Billy Searle injury and he kicked well from hand on a couple of occasions but would probably have wanted to have more of an impact. 

Wasn't helped by the fact he didn't receive great ball as Worcester struggled to get on the front foot.

9. Francois Hougaard - 5.5 

Box kicking was, most of the time, okay but I can't help but feel his delivery is a bit pedestrian at times and that doesn't help the Worcester backs. 

Did win a turnover at the breakdown in the second-half and defensively was strong.

1. Ethan Waller - 6 

Scrum went well so you always give a nod to the front-row when that does happen. 

Wasn't aware of too many carries, which might have boosted his score.

2. Niall Annett - 4.5 

Lineout has been an issue for a few weeks for the hooker and his throwing was again off on Friday night. 

Some under thrown and that might be a communication issue but the ball from the set-piece was not great and that really damages Warriors' ability to create.

3. Nick Schonert - 6

Good scrummaging and a few big carries in there. 

High work-rate as ever from Sharky. 

4. Anton Bresler - 5 

Lineout wobbled a fair bit and he struggled to impact the game as much as he has done in the past. 

Was quiet and didn't carry much, which across the pack, is something that needs a bit of work.

5. Justin Clegg - 6 

The youngster is enjoying this period of starts in the first team and looks a really bright prospect. 

Carried well and is in charge of the lineout which shows he is trusted. 

The lineout wasn't great but a young man and has time to work on that.

6. Ted Hill - 7 

Stand out member of the pack, must have made at least seven or eight carries and not once did he go backwards, made yards every time and got Warriors on the front-foot. 

Worry is that Worcester rely on him too much to do the hard yards.

7. Matt Kvesic - 4.5 

Has had some injury issues so maybe that's a reason but seems to be struggling to have an impact of late and I hardly mentioned him through the time he was on the pitch. 

Was always so good at the breakdown but doesn't seem to be getting much joy there at the moment. 

Was hooked relatively early in the second half. 

8. Marco Mama - 5 

Not his best game for Worcester but when you're up against it, it can be tricky to affect the game. 

Was subbed early with Kvesic. 

16. Isaac Miller - 5

17. Marc Thomas - 5 

18. Richard Palframan - 5 

19. George Merrick - 5.5 

20. Cornell du Preez - 5

21. Sam Lewis  - 6

22. Gareth Simpson - NA

23. Jamie Shillcock - NA