WORCESTER Warriors wing Tom Howe admitted his side could not compete with Brive’s kicking game in their European Challenge Cup defeat in France.

After the clash was postponed to Saturday evening following a waterlogged pitch at Stade Amedee-Domenech, and moved to nearby town Tulle, Warriors went down 33-7 as they missed out on a first quarter-final place since 2009.

And Howe expressed his disappointment following a frustrating day as Brive’s five-try display saw them clinch second spot in Pool Five and progress to the last eight.

“Brive’s territorial and kicking game was excellent and we couldn’t get into the areas and we made a few silly mistakes,” said the 22-year-old.

“It would have been our first quarter-final since 2009 but it is what it is.

“We wanted to progress and we’re disappointed but there’s a lot left to play for this season and we can focus on the Premiership.”

Despite the treacherous conditions, Howe refused to blame them for Warriors’ defeat at the rearranged venue of Stade Alexandre Cueille.

“The whole day was tricky,” said Howe, who scored Worcester’s only try.

“Our big focus was to try and not let it affect us.

“When we arrived at Brive’s ground we didn’t know what was going on.

“We went back to the hotel and then when we arrived in Tulle where the pitch was boggy and rough too.

“I don’t want to blame the conditions because Brive played them well and we can only blame ourselves.

“We knew what type of game we wanted to play but credit to Brive, they brought their A-game and their kicking game was on point and we couldn’t really compete.”

Warriors take on Exeter Chiefs next Saturday in the Anglo-Welsh Cup and Howe insisted there would be a number of players wanting to stake their claim.

“We’ve got a lot of young players who will want to play in that competition and get their hands on the ball and show the best of themselves,” Howe added.

“Hopefully it will be an exciting game against Exeter and you’ll see some good running rugby.

“A lot of players have come through in that competition so we’ll see what happens.

“We’ve been doing well in the Premiership in recent months and hopefully we can use the Anglo-Welsh break to build some momentum going back into that Exeter Chiefs Premiership game.”