Worcester v Saints: Teams
Worcester boss Mike Ruddock has recalled all his big guns for the Boxing Day clash with Northampton at Sixways.
Last Updated: 26/12/09 6:43pm
Worcester boss Mike Ruddock has recalled his big guns for the Boxing Day clash with Northampton Saints at Sixways.
Centre Sam Tuitupou returns to the Warriors line-up for the Guinness Premiership game having recovered from illness.
Former Australia international Chris Latham is recalled at full back while Jonny Arr and Willie Walker start at scrum-half and fly-half respectively.
Ruddock has also rung the changes in the pack, keeping just one player from the team that travelled to Connacht in the Amlin Challenge Cup last week.
Much-changed pack
Prop Adam Black is the only survivor, with Matt Mullan included amongst the replacements for the first time since injuring his hamstring against Montpellier at the start of October.
Also on the bench is scrum-half Ryan Powell and centre Dale Rasmussen, who will make his 100th league appearance should he be called into action.
"It's a massive game," Ruddock admitted. "We have got a block of three coming up and we have planned our preparation to make sure we have guys fresh for these games.
"We haven't got any excuses for not going out and giving it our best shot. Players heads seem to be on big time, I have spoken to a number who are comfortable where they are at and the fact that we are able to train well in the Indoor Centre.
"It is going to be such a tough game, but we have competed well in recent times with the top two teams in the Guinness Premiership."
Northampton director of rugby Jim Mallinder knows his side will have to improve on their below-par performance against Treviso if they are to become just the second visiting side to triumph at Sixways this season.
Mistakes
"We were happy with the win in Treviso but were not so happy with the performance," Mallinder said.
"We made far too many mistakes and did not impose ourselves enough on Treviso. It certainly was not a good enough performance to win at somewhere like Worcester and every aspect of our play will have to improve on Saturday.
"We have not let the snow affect our training schedule this week. Everyone has reacted positively to the feedback from the game in Italy and has worked hard to earn selection for Saturday's match."
Mallinder has drafted in Paul Diggin on the wing while Courtney Lawes is giving a starting role in the pack after being amongst the subs in Italy.
After triumphing 28-8 at Newcastle in their most recent Premiership away game, Northampton will be bidding for successive away victories in the top flight for the first time since season 2005/06.
Worcester: 15 Chris Latham, 14 Rico Gear, 13 Alex Grove, 12 Sam Tuitupou, 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 Matt Mullan, 17 Chris Fortey, 18 Olivier Sourgens, 19 Graham Kitchener, 20 James Collins, 21 Ryan Powell, 22 Matthew Jones, 23 Dale Rasmussen.
Northampton: 15 Ben Foden, 14 Chris Ashton, 13 Jon Clarke, 12 James Downey, 11 Paul Diggin, 10 Stephen Myler, 9 Lee Dickson, 8 Roger Wilson, 7 Phil Dowson, 6 Courtney Lawes, 5 Juandre Kruger, 4 Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe, 3 Euan Murray, 2 Dylan Hartley (capt), 1 Soane Tonga'uiha.
Replacements: 16 Brett Sharman, 17 Jon Vickers, 18 Brian Mujati, 19 Christian Day, 20 Neil Best, 21 Alan Dickens, 22 Shane Geraghty, 23 Chris Mayor.