Worcester v Saracens: Teams
Mike Ruddock has recalled the big guns after naming his Worcester Warriors side to tackle Saracens at Sixways on Saturday.
Last Updated: 03/04/09 2:51pm
Mike Ruddock has recalled the big guns after naming his Worcester Warriors side to tackle Saracens at Sixways Stadium on Saturday.
Back row Tom Wood is the only survivor from the team that was demolished by Harlequins in midweek - one of three league games in just six days - as Ruddock makes major changes.
Prop Callum Black will make his second Guinness Premiership start of the season in the front row with Matt Mullan ruled out with a shoulder problem.
Winger Rico Gear (hamstring) and flanker James Collins (leg) also miss the home game due to injury.
Sarries back
Meanwhile, Saracens welcome back Neil de Kock and Andy Farrell to their starting line-up for the Guinness Premiership fixture.
Scrum-half de Kock has missed the last two months with a broken arm while Farrell has sat out the last four matches with an ankle injury. Both return to start the match at Sixways.
Richard Haughton is also back in the line-up after being rested last weekend against Wasps and other changes to the team see Gordon Ross get an opportunity to start at fly-half while Ben Jacobs and Justin Melck both make the starting XV after impressing off the bench last week.
Glen Jackson and Wikus van Heerden, both of who have been carrying knocks, are rested this weekend.
"It's good to start to get some more faces back after injury this week and we're delighted that both Neil de Kock and Andy Farrell are back in the mix," said Sarries coach Richard Graham.
"This is a huge game for both sides. Worcester have made no secret of the fact that they are targeting this match and we need to win to maintain our challenge for a Heineken Cup qualification place - so we both need a victory.
"We know that Sixways is a tough place to play and we are expecting a very physical game against Worcester. We have had some good wins at home in recent weeks and we've played some good rugby - now we have to repeat that on our travels."
Worcester: 15 Willie Walker, 14 Marcel Garvey, 13 Alex Grove, 12 Dale Rasmussen, 11 Miles Benjamin, 10 Matthew Jones, 9 Ryan Powell, 8 Kai Horstmann, 7 Pat Sanderson (capt), 6 Tom Wood, 5 Will Bowley, 4 Greg Rawlinson, 3 Darren Morris, 2 Aleki Lutui, 1 Callum Black
Replacements: 16 Shaun Ruwers, 17 Chris Fortey, 18 Graham Kitchener, 19 Netani Talei, 20 Jonny Arr, 21 Loki Crichton, 22 Hal Luscombe.
Saracens: 15 Chris Wyles, 14 Richard Haughton, 13 Ben Jacobs, 12 Andy Farrell, 11 Rodd Penney, 10 Gordon Ross, 9 Neil de Kock, 8 Ben Skirving, 7 Justin Melck, 6 Chris Jack, 5 Tom Ryder, 4 Steve Borthwick (capt), 3 Cencus Johnston, 2 Fabio Ongaro, 1 Matias Aguero.
Replacements: 16 Alex Walker, 17 Tom Mercey, 18 Don Barrell, 19 David Seymour, 20 Justin Marshall, 21 Adam Powell, 22 Edd Thrower.