Worcester v Leeds: Teams
Sam Tuitupou has handed Worcester a fitness boost ahead of Friday's Premiership clash against Leeds Carnegie.
Last Updated: 10/09/09 2:31pm
Sam Tuitupou has handed Worcester a fitness boost ahead of Friday's Premiership clash against Leeds Carnegie.
The powerful centre has not made a league appearance since injuring his knee last year and the 27-year-old's rehabilitation took a further knock after picking up a hamstring problem before last Saturday's opener at Northampton.
But New Zealander is back in full training and is set to return to the Warriors squad for Friday night clash at Sixways.
"Sam will be named in the team providing he comes through our training all week," said Worcester rugby director Mike Ruddock.
"He has been given the all-clear to drop back into rugby sessions.
"He has a busy week but, if he comes through okay with no adverse impact to his leg, then he will be passed fit to play."
However, prop Olivier Sourgens, a summer acquisition from French club Begles-Bordeaux, could require minor knee surgery after going off during the first half of the Warriors' 20-17 defeat to the Saints.
"It looks like he has some damage around the knee," added Ruddock.
"That could mean surgical intervention but, with keyhole (surgery), we are looking at two or three weeks."
Battle
Leeds have made three changes to their starting line-up for their trip to Sixways.
Rob Rawlinson, Erik Lund and Alfie To'oala come into to the side at the expense of Vili Ma'asi, Phil Murphy and Rhys Oakley, while director of rugby Andy Key has also named England U20 captain Calum Clark on the bench.
While Leeds drew their opening game back in the Premiership, Worcester threw away a 17-0 lead to lose 20-17 against Northampton.
And head coach Neil Back is expecting to test Leeds in the forward battle.
"We watched the first half of their game last week prior to beginning our preparations at Headingley Carnegie and they looked strong and built up a 17-0 lead," said Back.
"Mike Ruddock said that he was gutted after the match and you can understand why after being in such a good position.
"Worcester will be very strong up front and we will need to gain parity there to give ourselves a platform to play off.
"We had some issues with our scrum in the first half against Newcastle but we have done some work on that this week and it is a problem that can be resolved pretty quickly.
"Some of the issues were to do with our timings and getting used to what the referees are looking for in the Guinness Premiership and we have talked about that this week."
Worcester: 15 Chris Latham, 14 Marcel Garvey, 13 Alex Grove, 12 Sam Tuitupou, 11 Miles Benjamin, 10 Willie Walker, 9 Ryan Powell, 1 Matt Mullan, 2 Aleki Lutui, 3 Tevita Taumoepeau, 4 Greg Rawlinson, 5 Craig Gillies, 6 Tom Wood, 7 Pat Sanderson (c), 8 Kai Horstmann.
Replacements: 16 Adam Black, 17 Chris Fortey, 18 Shaun Ruwers, 19 Graham Kitchener, 20 Netani Talei, 21 Jonny Arr, 22 George Crook, 23 Rico Gear
Leeds: 15 Jon Goodridge, 14 Richard Welding, 13 Jonny Hepworth, 12 Scott Barrow, 11 Lee Blackett, 10 Ceiron Thomas, 9 Andy Gomarsall, 1 Gareth Hardy, 2 Rob Rawlinson, 3 Tommy McGee, 4 Erik Lund, 5 Marco Wentzel (c), 6 Kearnan Myall, 7 Hendre Fourie, 8 Alfie To'oala.
Replacements: 16 Vili Ma'asi, 17 Alex Moreno, 18 Phil Swainston, 19 Calum Clark, 20 Danny Paul, 21 Scott Mathie, 22 Henry Paul, 23 Scott Armstrong.