Carnegie have to learn lessons, insists McGee

The hosts went down 36-17 but had led 14-0 early on at Headingley following some exciting football and were level 17-17 until the closing stages.

“We created a huge amount and we are disappointed,” he said after they dropped to seventh in the Championship.

“I’m not happy with the scoreline, not happy we’ve not won at home again or that our fans have seen another defeat but I am happy with the way we applied ourselves and went after it.

“It was probably our best attacking performance of the season and it was full of committed defence, too.

“Worcester showed their Premiership experience and quality in the end.

“At 14-12 at the break, they came back out and controlled things well, took the pace out of the game and went pragmatic but we have to learn from that.”

Carnegie, who have not won at Headingley since May, still had opportunities to win and McGee admitted: “Some guys are very upset.”

Winger Jonah Holmes was a late withdrawal through injury but hopes to be fit for the Championship game at London Scottish on January 10.