Worcester v Newcastle: Teams
Worcester boss Mike Ruddock is hoping to make the most of home advantage when Newcastle visit Sixways on Friday.
Last Updated: 26/02/10 7:42am
Worcester boss Mike Ruddock is hoping to make the most of home advantage when Newcastle visit Sixways on Friday.
The Warriors find themselves back in a relegation dogfight in the Guinness Premiership - with bottom club Leeds now just one point behind them.
However Worcester have five home games left from their remaining eight fixtures this season - with Ruddock believing their form at Sixways could be critical to their hopes.
And Ruddock is confident his side can start off with the right result against the Falcons.
"We have got five home matches left out of our total of eight games to play - we really need to make home advantage count," said Ruddock.
"Newcastle have had a good season to date and Carl Hayman has really galvanised their pack, they have become an extremely difficult unit to play against.
"However, we will look to take them on and not let them dominate up front, in particular the scrum.
"It will take a solid all-round game for us with a good mix to gain a result, but we are confident we will produce that in what is a big game for the Warriors."
Tight
Roddock will hand Chris Cracknell a start in the back-row ahead of Tom Wood, with Pat Sanderson set to captain the Warriors for the 100th time in the Premiership.
Newcastle director of rugby Steve Bates is expecting a tight encounter on Friday.
The Falcons are only eight points off bottom spot, so know they can't afford to be dragged further down into the relegation scrap.
And Bates knows it will not be easy at Sixways.
"We're expecting a tight game, with two competitive forward packs going at each other," said Bates.
"We have the two top points' scorers in the Guinness Premiership going head to head in Jimmy Gopperth and Willie Walker, both will undoubtedly have a big role to play and there's every chance it could be a close, exciting game.
"Worcester will be keen to bounce back from last weekend's defeat at Bath and to get themselves away from the bottom part of the league, but for ourselves it's just a case of wanting to win another big Guinness Premiership game.
"We approach every single match with the same intent to go out and win, it should be a big battle down there and hopefully one that we can come out on top of."
Bates has made two changes for the clash with Adam Balding is handed a start against the team he will join in the summer and Rob Vickerman replacing the injured Charlie Amesbury.
Worcester: 15 Chris Latham, 14 Chris Pennell, 13 Dale Rasmussen, 12 Sam Tuitupou, 11 Miles Benjamin, 10 Willie Walker, 9 Johnny Arr, 8 Kai Horstmann, 7 Pat Sanderson, 6 Chris Cracknell, 5 Craig Gillies, 4 Rob Rawlinson, 3 Tevita Taumoepeau, 2 Aleki Lutui, 1 Adam Black.
Replacements: 16 Matt Mullan, 17 Chris Fortey, 18 Olivier Sourgens, 19 Graham Kitchener, 20 Tom Wood, 21 Ryan Powell, 22 Matthew Jones, 23 Rico Gear.
Newcastle: 15 Alex Tait, 14 Danny Williams, 13 Rob Vickerman, 12 Tane Tu'ipulotu, 11 Gcobani Bobo, 10 Jimmy Gopperth, 9 Micky Young, 8 Adam Balding, 7 Brent Wilson, 6 Peter Browne, 5 Tim Swinson, 4 James Hudson, 3 Carl Hayman (capt), 2 Rob Vickers, 1 Jon Golding.
Replacements: 16 Alex Walker, 17 Micky Ward, 18 Grant Shiells, 19 Mark Sorenson, 20 Will Welch, 21 Hall Charlton, 22 Rob Miller, 23 Tom Biggs.