Preview: Saracens v Worcester
High-flying Saracens are boosted by the return of All Black Chris Jack to their second-row as they look to stay in touch with the Guinness Premiership¿s top two on Sunday.
High-flying Saracens are boosted by the return of All Black Chris Jack to their second row as they look to stay in touch with the Guinness Premiership's top two on Sunday.
With Bath not playing this weekend due to the Anglo-Welsh semi-finalists taking to the field in order to avoid fixture congestion, Alan Gaffney's side will be looking to leapfrog the west countrymen into third position.
The hosts also recall rested duo Richard Hill and Cobus Visagie to their XV, but are without injured trio Andy Farrell, Neil De Kock and Kevin Sorrell in the backs.
“This is an important time in the Premiership and although you cannot win the competition just yet, the wrong results in the next few rounds of matches can put you out of contention,” said Gaffney.
“The Premiership is our bread and butter and that's the message I keep stressing to the players. It's nice to be involved in the cup competitions, but we have to perform week in, week out and make sure we finish in a spot in the league that will see us qualify for Europe next year. That is a priority.”
However, the Warriors arrive at Vicarage Road in high spirits after finally breaking their competition duck with a victory over Bristol last time out, something that has not gone unnoticed by Gaffney.
“This will be a very tough match especially as Worcester's ability belies their position in the Premiership,” he added.
“They have had a very competitive pack for many years and in Craig Gillies they have a player who is one of the best line-out forwards in the competition. They have also really strengthened this season with the arrival of Greg Rawlinson, Sam Tuitupou, Loki Crichton and Rico Gear.”
The visitors have unsurprisingly kept faith with the side that claimed four points at Sixways which handed them a five-point cushion over basement side Leeds.
“Saracens are a very dangerous team with a lot of good quality about the forward pack,” said Director of Rugby Mike Ruddock.
“They can rip us to pieces if we let them play but we go there eager to perform and get a positive result.”
Form: Saracens have won their last three matches in all competitions since a 3-18 defeat at Bristol in the Guinness Premiership on 6 January, whilst their only home reversal since September was to Newcastle on 30 December. Worcester Warriors broke their duck last time out in the Guinness Premiership with a first victory this season in the competition: 25-5 at home to Bristol. It was the Warriors' third successive win in all competitions. Saracens won 21-16 when the two sides met at Sixways in the Guinness Premiership on 6 October. Worcester were victorious on their last visit to Vicarage Road: 20-17 on 26 November 2006.
Saracens: 15 Brent Russell, 14 Richard Haughton, 13 Rodd Penney, 12 Adam Powell, 11 Francisco Leonelli, 10 Glen Jackson, 9 Alan Dickens, 8 Ben Skirving, 7 Richard Hill (c), 6 Kris Chesney, 5 Hugh Vyvyan, 4 Chris Jack, 3 Cobus Visagie, 2 Fabio Ongaro, 1 Nick Lloyd.
Replacements: 16 Andy Kyriacou, 17 Tom Mercey, 18 Tom Ryder, 19 Paul Gustard, 20 Moses Rauluni, 21 Gordon Ross, 22 Edd Thrower.
Worcester: 15 Thinus Delport, 14 Rico Gear, 13 Dale Rasmussen, 12 Sam Tuitupou, 11 Miles Benjamin, 10 Loki Crichton, 9 Matt Powell, 8 Kai Horstmann, 7 Pat Sanderson (c), 6 Tom Wood, 5 Craig Gillies, 4 Greg Rawlinson, 3 Tevita Taumoepeau, 2 Aleki Lutui, 1 Darren Morris.
Replacements: 16 Callum Black, 17 Matt Mullan, 18 Will Bowley, 19 Netani Talei, 20 Ryan Powell, 21 James Brown, 22 Chris Pennell.
Date: Sunday February, 10
Venue: Vicarage Road
Kick-off: 15:00 GMT
Referee: Andrew Small
Touch judges: Ashley Reay, Peter Huckle
Television match official: John Burtenshaw