Worcester v Saracens: Teams
Warriors prepared to get physical, but Saracens are ready to meet them head on at Sixways.
Last Updated: 05/10/07 4:55pm
Mike Ruddock has urged his side to get physical when they take on Saracens at Sixways.
The Warriors ensured they would remain a Premiership club by beating Sarries in the last game of last season, and Ruddock believes a repeat of that powerhouse display is needed.
Ruddock told the club's official site: "I think Saracens will remember the game last season and the physicality of the Warriors, we have got to reproduce that.
"It is going to be a tough day for us but we know we are capable of beating them which helps our confidence.
"Saracens have gone up a notch this season, they have scored some really good tries and the opening weekend win over Wasps really got their confidence going.
"They look a very complete team, their forward pack is physical and aggressive around the contact area, and the backs are very exciting to watch.
Discipline
"They're a dangerous team who put points on the board. We have got to be at our best defensively and in terms of discipline."
Ruddock has made just the one change to his line up, with a hamstring injury forcing Samoan centre Dominic Feaunati to miss out.
Mark Tucker is promoted from the bench, with Gary Trueman called into the 22.
Worcester's physical approach is unlikely to come as a surprise to Saracens, with director of rugby Alan Gaffney remembering last season's clash at Sixways only too well.
He said: "We know it's going to be a very tough game at Worcester. Their track record against us in the past 12 months has been more than alright and at Sixways on the final day of last season, they absolutely smashed us!
"They were too physical for us on that day and we can expect another hard physical battle this Saturday.
"They have some good players on the pitch. In Craig Gillies they have one of the best lineout forwards in the competition and Shane Drahm can really control matches.
"We'll have some pretty handy players out on the pitch also but there is no doubt that this is going to be a tough game."
Gaffney has shuffled his line-up for the clash, with Glen Jackson, Kevin Sorrell, Ben Skirving, Sakiusa Matadigo and Cencus Johnston returning to the starting XV.
Tom Mercey, Francisco Leonelli and Paul Gustard all miss out with slight knocks, however Don Barrell and Nick Lloyd are named on the bench.
Worcester: 15 Shane Drahm, 14 Thinus Delport, 13 Dale Rasmussen, 12 Mark Tucker, 11 Marcel Garvey, 10 James Brown, 9 Ryan Powell, 1 Darren Morris, 2 Chris Fortey, 3 Tevita Taumoepeau, 4 Phil Murphy, 5 Craig Gillies, 6 Drew Hickey, 7 Pat Sanderson (c), 8 Kai Horstmann.
Replacements: 16 Tony Windo, 17 Ben Gotting, 18 Will Bowley, 19 Gavin Quinnell, 20 Matt Powell, 21 Gary Trueman, 22 Chris Pennell.
Saracens: 15 Richard Haughton, 14 Edd Thrower, 13 Kevin Sorrell, 12 Adam Powell, 11 Rodd Penney, 10 Glen Jackson, 9 Neil de Kock (c), 1 Kevin Yates, 2 Matt Cairns, 3 Cencus Johnston, 4 Kris Chesney ,5 Hugh Vyvyan, 6 Sakiusa Matadigo, 7 Richard Hill, 8 Ben Skirving.
Replacements: 16 Andy Kyriacou, 17 Nick Lloyd, 18 Iain Fullarton, 19 Don Barrell, 20 Alan Dickens, 21 Gordon Ross, 22 Noah Cato.