Hogg happy to reunite Hougaard and Mills

Worcester Warriors head coach Carl Hogg believes Francois Hougaard and Ryan Mills will provide his side with “strong direction” as a half-back pairing.

Springbok scrum-half Hougaard should return to training at Sixways this week, putting himself in contention to face Saracens on Friday night.

The Premiership’s bottom club had also been boosted by the return of fly-half Mills for their 24-19 defeat at Gloucester last Friday.

Mills recovered from his injury sooner than expected to start in the number 10 shirt against his former club. Hogg believes it was the right call as the 25-year-old helped Warriors come from 24-6 down to snatch a losing bonus point.

“Ryan is a good leader,” said Hogg to Worcester News.

“He is very smart and has got good rugby intellect. He gives us a vocal edge and some real leadership from 10.

“That was his first game back, so he will just get better and better.

“It was (a bit of a risk), but someone like Ryan has been around for years and years and has obviously had some injury issues in the past.

“But he is a really quality player, so it is great to have him back on board.

“We are looking to getting Francois back in the country as well, so that gives us some strong direction at nine and 10.”

Hougaard returned to club duties with the Warriors sooner than expected because he was released by South Africa following their 57-0 thrashing at the hands of New Zealand.

Hogg is delighted to have Hougaard back, but also praised the work done by the rest of his squad.

“It is (a boost), but Peter Stringer played very well (against Gloucester) and Jono Kitto came on and contributed,” Hogg said.

“So the team is not about one or two individuals, it is about a group.

“We came to Gloucester and put ourselves behind the eight ball with a slow start.

“But we showed huge amount of spirit to get ourselves back in the contest.”