Worcester v Leicester: Teams
Struggling Worcester Warriors welcome league leaders Leicester Tigers in a top-versus-bottom Guinness Premiership clash at Sixways.
Last Updated: 26/03/10 1:31pm
Struggling Worcester Warriors welcome league leaders Leicester Tigers in a top-versus-bottom Guinness Premiership clash at Sixways on Saturday.
The Tigers are boosted by the return of England trio Lewis Moody, Ben Youngs and Toby Flood for the trip.
Moody captained England in Paris last weekend and resumes his place in the Leicester back row alongside Tom Croft and Jordan Crane.
Along with the England trio, Tigers head coach Richard Cockerill is also boosted by the return of Geordan Murphy and Martin Castrogiovanni from the Six Nations.
But Louis Deacon is sidelined by injury after returning from England duty, while the Tigers are also without Dan Hipkiss, Aaron Mauger and Ben Woods.
Cockerill said: "The international guys have come back and they want to play.
"We've got lots of guys fit after a short break too so we've got some very good competition for places. It is good to know that whoever starts and whoever is on the bench will contribute."
While the Tigers go into the game at the top of the Guinness Premiership table, Cockerill is certainly not resting on his laurels.
He said: "We've seen just how close it is in this competition all season. Worcester have a big pack and some quality international players. We expect a huge game from them, but it is also an important game for us."
Walker returns
Worcester Warriors welcome back points machine Willie Walker for the clash at Sixways.
Fly-half Walker - the top scorer in the Guinness Premiership with 145 points - missed the last away game at Harlequins through injury, but has been declared fit to take his place in the massive league encounter.
Director of rugby Mike Ruddock makes a total of four changes to the side that narrowly lost 14-11 in London last time out.
Sam Tuitupou (back) is ruled out of the game and so Scotland international Alex Grove will line up alongside Dale Rasmussen in the centre.
Prop Adam Black and hooker Aleki Lutui are recalled in the front row to play alongside powerhouse prop Tevita Taumoepeau. England international Matt Mullan (shoulder) is unavailable for selection.
Academy front row products Callum Black and Jordan Page are both named on the bench with Chris Fortey (back) missing the game. Ryan Powell (knee) is replaced by home-grown scrum half product Louis Silver, who could make his senior debut for the Warriors.
"We have had a bizarre week in that even though there have been no matches for a number of weeks, a few players have presented with injuries that require rest and rehabilitation," said Ruddock.
"There is no one specific incident involved in any of the injuries and it is just because of wear and tear scenarios given the toughness of this league.
"It's never a surprise to hear that players are carrying injuries and we hope of better news on all of them next week while it provides opportunities for some younger players to make their mark this Saturday."
Ruddock hopes his side can follow up on their 13-10 victory over Newcastle in their last home clash on February 26 - their only victory in their last dozen matches in the Guinness Premiership.
He added: "We are hoping that home advantage will prove the difference and it certainly did when we played Newcastle.
"The fans really got behind us and we really lifted our game. We went on to record a really good victory and we have got to hope that sort of support will help us deliver again.
"The last couple of years we haven't been too far away against Leicester and I think we are one of the only teams to go to Welford Road this season and get a losing bonus point.
"The Tigers have a massive scrum so that will be a focal point as will the breakdown and our intensity in the collisions."
Worcester: 15 Chris Latham, 14 Chris Pennell, 13 Alex Grove, 12 Dale Rasmussen, 11 Miles Benjamin, 10 Willie Walker, 9 Jonny Arr, 8 Kai Horstmann, 7 Pat Sanderson (c), 6 Tom Wood, 5 Craig Gillies, 4 Greg Rawlinson, 3 Tevita Taumoepeau, 2 Aleki Lutui, 1 Adam Black.
Replacements: 16 Callum Black, 17 Jordan Page, 18 Olivier Sourgens, 19 Graham Kitchener, 20 Chris Cracknell, 21 Louis Silver, 22 Matthew Jones, 23 Rico Gear.
Leicester: 15 Geordan Murphy (c), 14 Scott Hamilton, 13 Matt Smith, 12 Anthony Allen, 11 Alesana Tuilagi, 10 Toby Flood, 9 Ben Youngs, 8 Jordan Crane, 7 Lewis Moody, 6 Tom Croft, 5 Ben Kay, 4 Geoff Parling, 3 Martin Castrogiovanni, 2 Mefin Davies, 1 Marcos Ayerza.
Replacements: 16 George Chuter, 17 Dan Cole, 18 Boris Stankovich, 19 Brett Deacon, 20 Craig Newby, 21 James Grindal, 22 Johne Murphy, 23 Billy Twelvetrees.