WORCESTER WARRIORS: PREVIEW, TEAM SELECTION & MATCH COMMENTS
Daniel Davis
By The Saracens
April 28 2022
Please post all your pre-match/team news/match comments here
PREVIEW
The first objective for the season was achieved last Sunday with qualification secured for the playoffs. The next step is to turn that little “q” into a big “Q” – ie secure a home tie and Sarries can go a long way towards that with a big win over Worcester Warriors on Saturday. Wuss have always been somewhat of bogey team for Sarries and Sixways hasn’t been an easy place to get a result (Sarries haven’t won there in the league since 2017) but with Sarries in 2nd (on 77 points) and Wuss in 12th (on 30) it would appear there is a huge gulf between the 2 teams. Both sides are still alive in 2 competitions – Worcester secured a place in the Premiership Cup Final (where they will face London Irish on 17th May) by comprehensively beating Gloucester at home on Wednesday. Wuss fielded a pretty strong team and with no relegation to worry about this year, it would appear their main focus is on silverware (and Heineken Cup qualification via that route). All of which could add up in Sarries’ favour. I would expect Wuss to rest many of their big players (especially those who played on Wednesday Evening) and point them in the direction of a Cup Final. Sarries probably have different priorities in that their main focus will be on securing another Premiership Title and if they can land the European Challenge Cup en route, all well and good.
Sarries beat Worcester at StoneX 61-29 on Boxing Day: Wuss scored 3 late tries though to bring the score back from 61-14 which did take some of the gloss off the win. Worcester may regard this one as something of a lost cause and rest their key players, putting out a team of youngsters. Before Sarries start licking their lips, let us not forget a young Wasps Team, superbly marshalled by Jimmy Gopperth, that came away from Allianz Park (as it then was) with a notable victory a couple of years ago. Those youngsters, like Worcester’s no doubt, had something to prove and prove it they did. Duhan van der Merwe, arguably “most valuable player” made an earlier than expected return from injury on Wednesday but would Dimes really want to send him out again so quickly?
As for Sarries, it’s all about building momentum and peaking at the right time. The boys are starting to come together but as we saw on Sunday, it rarely happens for the whole 80 minutes. Max and Maro both missed Sunday’s game with what were described as “minor” injuries. Whereas I am certain neither will be risked if not 100%, MMc will probably want his best team on the field for at least some of the time. If Max is fit I would be tempted to give Goodey a week off but he’s on such a wonderful run of form he may not want to. And where is Loz? Is he injured or just having a break? He has become such an important part of this team (I would pick Tompkins/Loz over Tompkins/Daly any day). Hopefully he will be restored to his rightful place on Saturday. Encouragingly he appears on the pre-match build-up blurb! It really is mouth watering to look at the side Sarries could put out if and when everyone is fit. It’s all building up nicely. I think we'll put out a strong starting 15 with the hope they can get the job done in 60 minutes then leave it to the finishers but what do i know?
So we may see something like:
Malins/Daly, Maitland, Lozowski, Tompkins, Segun, Farrell, Davies; Mawi, George, Koch, Itoje, Isiekwe, McFarland, Earle, Billy.
Sarries should win this, they really should.
WORCESTER WARRIORS: PREVIEW, TEAM SELECTION & MATCH COMMENTS
Posted by: TheSaracens.com (IP Logged)
Date: 28/04/2022 20:11
Please post your pre-match comments, team selection comments and match comments here
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2022:05:12:17:02:19 by Darraghgirl.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2022:05:12:17:02:19 by Darraghgirl.
Re: WORCESTER WARRIORS: PREVIEW, TEAM SELECTION & MATCH COMMENTS
Posted by: OldMarovian (IP Logged)
Date: 28/04/2022 21:28
Excellent preview and a good reminder (re Wasps) not to discount seemingly under-strength teams ability to get up for a game.
I'm hoping for a performance that builds on the many positives from last week but any win would be great.
I'm hoping for a performance that builds on the many positives from last week but any win would be great.
Re: WORCESTER WARRIORS: PREVIEW, TEAM SELECTION & MATCH COMMENTS
Posted by: Surbiton Sarries (IP Logged)
Date: 29/04/2022 11:49
Worcester Warriors v Saracens
Referee: Anthony Woodthorpe
ARs: Andrew Jackson & Paul Dix
TMO: Stuart Terheege
Referee: Anthony Woodthorpe
ARs: Andrew Jackson & Paul Dix
TMO: Stuart Terheege
Re: WORCESTER WARRIORS: PREVIEW, TEAM SELECTION & MATCH COMMENTS
Posted by: GazzaFez (IP Logged)
Date: 29/04/2022 12:07
1 Eroni Mawi
2 Jamie George
3 Vincent Koch
4 Nick Isiekwe
5 Theo McFarland
6 Andy Christie
7 Ben Earl
8 Billy Vunipola
9 Aled Davies
10 Owen Farrell (c)
11 Sean Maitland
12 Nick Tompkins
13 Elliot Daly
14 Rotimi Según
15 Max Malins
Replacements:
16 Kapeli Pifeleti
17 Richard Barrington
18 Alec Clarey
19 Callum Hunter-Hill
20 Jackson Wray
21 Ivan van Zyl
22 Manu Vunipola
23 Duncan Taylor
2 Jamie George
3 Vincent Koch
4 Nick Isiekwe
5 Theo McFarland
6 Andy Christie
7 Ben Earl
8 Billy Vunipola
9 Aled Davies
10 Owen Farrell (c)
11 Sean Maitland
12 Nick Tompkins
13 Elliot Daly
14 Rotimi Según
15 Max Malins
Replacements:
16 Kapeli Pifeleti
17 Richard Barrington
18 Alec Clarey
19 Callum Hunter-Hill
20 Jackson Wray
21 Ivan van Zyl
22 Manu Vunipola
23 Duncan Taylor
Re: WORCESTER WARRIORS: PREVIEW, TEAM SELECTION & MATCH COMMENTS
Posted by: GazzaFez (IP Logged)
Date: 29/04/2022 12:13
Quote:OldMarovian
I'm hoping for a performance that builds on the many positives from last week but any win would be great.
I see Mark McCall has decided yet again to start with the 'terrible' Elliot Daly OM. Good job he doesn't listen to you 😉
Can only assume that Loz and Itoje are still carrying knocks from previous weeks.
Re: WORCESTER WARRIORS: PREVIEW, TEAM SELECTION & MATCH COMMENTS
Posted by: tpr's headmistress (IP Logged)
Date: 29/04/2022 12:15
Deleted due to duff info.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:04:29:12:18:38 by tpr's headmistress.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:04:29:12:18:38 by tpr's headmistress.
Re: WORCESTER WARRIORS: PREVIEW, TEAM SELECTION & MATCH COMMENTS
Posted by: TommyKentish (IP Logged)
Date: 29/04/2022 12:18
I love the Christie/Earl/Billy backrow, so much potential in there.
Very happy to see Segun start as well after a very good performance off the bench.
Likewise glad Malins was only a week off after his past injury issues and playing in his best position.
Very happy to see Segun start as well after a very good performance off the bench.
Likewise glad Malins was only a week off after his past injury issues and playing in his best position.
Re: WORCESTER WARRIORS: PREVIEW, TEAM SELECTION & MATCH COMMENTS
Posted by: Surbiton Sarries (IP Logged)
Date: 29/04/2022 12:53
Warriors | 15 Noah Heward, 14 Perry Humphreys, 13 Oli Morris, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Tom Howe, 10 Fin Smith, 9 Gareth Simpson, 1 Rory Sutherland, 2 Niall Annett, 3 Christian Judge, 4 Joe Batley, 5 Graham Kitchener, 6 Kyle Hatherell, 7 Ted Hill (C), 8 Matt Kvesic.
Replacements | 16 Isaac Miller, 17 Ethan Waller, 18 Murray McCallum, 19 Andrew Kitchener, 20 Sam Lewis, 21 Will Chudley, 22 Billy Searle, 23 Ashley Beck.
Replacements | 16 Isaac Miller, 17 Ethan Waller, 18 Murray McCallum, 19 Andrew Kitchener, 20 Sam Lewis, 21 Will Chudley, 22 Billy Searle, 23 Ashley Beck.
Re: WORCESTER WARRIORS: PREVIEW, TEAM SELECTION & MATCH COMMENTS
Posted by: OldMarovian (IP Logged)
Date: 29/04/2022 13:05
Really good team for this game. Excellent to see good form rewarded and CH-H given a chance from the bench. Like Tommy I think that backrow looks very good. Also great to have Wrays experience from the bench. I guess both Farrell and Manu is a case of giving them both game time? Seems a good idea.
Anyone else think the next adverts for Duracell should have Vincent Koch in them rather than the bunny!
McCall is too good a man-manager to simply drop a poorly performing player especially when (with respect) there's an upcoming fixture in which he should be able to play well and bounce back.
Ofc without both Lozo and Morris unavailable his options are limited.
Anyone else think the next adverts for Duracell should have Vincent Koch in them rather than the bunny!
Quote:GazzaFez
I see Mark McCall has decided yet again to start with the 'terrible' Elliot Daly OM. Good job he doesn't listen to you 😉
McCall is too good a man-manager to simply drop a poorly performing player especially when (with respect) there's an upcoming fixture in which he should be able to play well and bounce back.
Ofc without both Lozo and Morris unavailable his options are limited.
Re: WORCESTER WARRIORS: PREVIEW, TEAM SELECTION & MATCH COMMENTS
Posted by: TommyKentish (IP Logged)
Date: 29/04/2022 15:16
Elliot has the look of a man who is desperately trying to find his form. Almost trying too hard. He’s a classy player though, I hope he gets back to where he was a few years ago.
Team for Wus
Posted by: sodslaw (IP Logged)
Date: 29/04/2022 12:43
Saracens Men team to play Worcester Warriors:
1 Eroni Mawi
2 Jamie George
3 Vincent Koch
4 Nick Isiekwe
5 Theo McFarland
6 Andy Christie
7 Ben Earl
8 Billy Vunipola
9 Aled Davies
10 Owen Farrell (c)
11 Sean Maitland
12 Nick Tompkins
13 Elliot Daly
14 Rotimi Según
15 Max Malins
Replacements:
16 Kapeli Pifeleti
17 Richard Barrington
18 Alec Clarey
19 Callum Hunter-Hill
20 Jackson Wray
21 Ivan van Zyl
22 Manu Vunipola
23 Duncan Taylor
1 Eroni Mawi
2 Jamie George
3 Vincent Koch
4 Nick Isiekwe
5 Theo McFarland
6 Andy Christie
7 Ben Earl
8 Billy Vunipola
9 Aled Davies
10 Owen Farrell (c)
11 Sean Maitland
12 Nick Tompkins
13 Elliot Daly
14 Rotimi Según
15 Max Malins
Replacements:
16 Kapeli Pifeleti
17 Richard Barrington
18 Alec Clarey
19 Callum Hunter-Hill
20 Jackson Wray
21 Ivan van Zyl
22 Manu Vunipola
23 Duncan Taylor
Re: WORCESTER WARRIORS: PREVIEW, TEAM SELECTION & MATCH COMMENTS
Posted by: Duncan96 (IP Logged)
Date: 29/04/2022 18:58
What’s all this about Eliot Daly. Are we talking about the one who scored that cracker of a try vs Exeter?
I think centre is his best position and love watching him. Not saying he’s better than Loz but it’s close
I think centre is his best position and love watching him. Not saying he’s better than Loz but it’s close
Re: WORCESTER WARRIORS: PREVIEW, TEAM SELECTION & MATCH COMMENTS
Posted by: OldMarovian (IP Logged)
Date: 29/04/2022 19:10
Warriors | 15 Noah Heward, 14 Perry Humphreys, 13 Oli Morris, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Tom Howe, 10 Fin Smith, 9 Gareth Simpson, 1 Rory Sutherland, 2 Niall Annett, 3 Christian Judge, 4 Joe Batley, 5 Graham Kitchener, 6 Kyle Hatherell, 7 Ted Hill (C), 8 Matt Kvesic.
Replacements | 16 Isaac Miller, 17 Ethan Waller, 18 Murray McCallum, 19 Andrew Kitchener, 20 Sam Lewis, 21 Will Chudley, 22 Billy Searle, 23 Ashley Beck.
Bit surprised to see Ted Hill at 7 again after a very good game last weekend at 8 in a losing cause. Always looked like a very talented young guy when I've seen him play. Shame we couldn't have a brother re brother game with the Morris bros. Judge starting so will be great to see how he goes too.
Replacements | 16 Isaac Miller, 17 Ethan Waller, 18 Murray McCallum, 19 Andrew Kitchener, 20 Sam Lewis, 21 Will Chudley, 22 Billy Searle, 23 Ashley Beck.
Bit surprised to see Ted Hill at 7 again after a very good game last weekend at 8 in a losing cause. Always looked like a very talented young guy when I've seen him play. Shame we couldn't have a brother re brother game with the Morris bros. Judge starting so will be great to see how he goes too.
Re: WORCESTER WARRIORS: PREVIEW, TEAM SELECTION & MATCH COMMENTS
Posted by: Darraghgirl (IP Logged)
Date: 29/04/2022 22:16
And a feisty encounter at Franklin's Gardens with Saints just edging it and Quins picking up 2 points. They are 3 points behind us. A big win tomorrow gives us an 8 point gap with 2 matches remaining - home semi within touching distance.
Re: WORCESTER WARRIORS: PREVIEW, TEAM SELECTION & MATCH COMMENTS
Posted by: Surbiton Sarries (IP Logged)
Date: 30/04/2022 17:08
Bonus point win with 4 tries foe Malins. Big wins for Glaws over Barf and for Tiggers over Bris.
Puts us 8 points clear of Quins with 2 to go.
Puts us 8 points clear of Quins with 2 to go.
Re: WORCESTER WARRIORS: PREVIEW, TEAM SELECTION & MATCH COMMENTS
Posted by: Innings (IP Logged)
Date: 30/04/2022 18:39
And Eliot a star turn throughout. If that's his off-form, then let's be ready for fireworks when he reaches his full potential one day soon.
Innings
Points win matches: tries win hearts and minds.
Innings
Points win matches: tries win hearts and minds.
Re: WORCESTER WARRIORS: PREVIEW, TEAM SELECTION & MATCH COMMENTS
Posted by: Duncan96 (IP Logged)
Date: 30/04/2022 22:11
Quote:Innings
And Eliot a star turn throughout. If that's his off-form, then let's be ready for fireworks when he reaches his full potential one day soon.
Agreed. A master class from centre. His passing was sublime
Re: WORCESTER WARRIORS: PREVIEW, TEAM SELECTION & MATCH COMMENTS
Posted by: oldbuthappy (IP Logged)
Date: 30/04/2022 22:50
Worcester fan here. Well played today, we battled away but your class showed.
Respect to your players for staying out to sign autographs and have photos taken with our supporters.
Good luck in the play offs.
Respect to your players for staying out to sign autographs and have photos taken with our supporters.
Good luck in the play offs.
Re: WORCESTER WARRIORS: PREVIEW, TEAM SELECTION & MATCH COMMENTS
Posted by: OldMarovian (IP Logged)
Date: 01/05/2022 00:16
Well done on the 5 points. Much more encouraged by Malins comments after the match than McCalls.
Anyone get why MacFarlands "try" was disallowed? at least it showed that he is pretty great at plucking the ball from the air.
Manu and CH-H both looked good when they came on. Shame Segun couldn't nab himself another try. Malins reads the play around him so well. A couple of brilliant passes from Daly and a good pack performance.
Hard to work out from the Glaws/Bath game just how good Glaws were and how poor Bath but next weekend looks like a proper challenge.
LOL. Are you touring that act? "throughout"? oh dear.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:05:01:00:26:19 by OldMarovian.
Anyone get why MacFarlands "try" was disallowed? at least it showed that he is pretty great at plucking the ball from the air.
Manu and CH-H both looked good when they came on. Shame Segun couldn't nab himself another try. Malins reads the play around him so well. A couple of brilliant passes from Daly and a good pack performance.
Hard to work out from the Glaws/Bath game just how good Glaws were and how poor Bath but next weekend looks like a proper challenge.
Quote:Innings
And Eliot a star turn throughout
LOL. Are you touring that act? "throughout"? oh dear.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:05:01:00:26:19 by OldMarovian.
Re: WORCESTER WARRIORS: PREVIEW, TEAM SELECTION & MATCH COMMENTS
Posted by: Duncan96 (IP Logged)
Date: 01/05/2022 09:00
Quote:oldbuthappy
Worcester fan here. Well played today, we battled away but your class showed.
Respect to your players for staying out to sign autographs and have photos taken with our supporters.
Good luck in the play offs.
There is something right with your coaching the way your team continued to play running rugby and didn’t give up. But as one of your fellow supporters behind me said as we spread out to receive the kick off “just look at the bloody size of them!” For some reason we did look bigger than I’ve seen the team look all season!
Just something which I wondered. Can you tell me why so many youngsters were dressed like extras from Pirates of the Caribbean?
Re: WORCESTER WARRIORS: PREVIEW, TEAM SELECTION & MATCH COMMENTS
Posted by: TV (IP Logged)
Date: 01/05/2022 09:24
I believe the try was disallowed as McFarland was deemed to be offside when the ball was thrown
Re: WORCESTER WARRIORS: PREVIEW, TEAM SELECTION & MATCH COMMENTS
Posted by: TommyKentish (IP Logged)
Date: 01/05/2022 10:30
A bit of a weird match for us that. We did some great stuff for some of the tries, well all of Max’s tries really. Daly’s pass in particular was sublime. I’m sure if Danny Cirpriani had thrown that we’d be seeing replays all over social media by now. But otherwise we didn’t seem to get out of second gear and looked a bit disjointed, probably a bit of a hangover from the Exeter game.
Worcester we’re their own worst enemies and failed to capitalise on a few of their chances and gifted us the Earl try. You can see some green shoots there for next season, I imagine Diamond will do a good job there.
I’m trying to work out the McFarland disallowed try. I think it was because he hadn’t joined the lineout in time and was therefore deemed too close and offside? A bit weird considering we hadn’t had a chance to form our side.
I came away thinking that Daly’s performance sort of summed us up, brilliant in fits and starts but frustrating for a lot of the match too.
Worcester we’re their own worst enemies and failed to capitalise on a few of their chances and gifted us the Earl try. You can see some green shoots there for next season, I imagine Diamond will do a good job there.
I’m trying to work out the McFarland disallowed try. I think it was because he hadn’t joined the lineout in time and was therefore deemed too close and offside? A bit weird considering we hadn’t had a chance to form our side.
I came away thinking that Daly’s performance sort of summed us up, brilliant in fits and starts but frustrating for a lot of the match too.
Re: WORCESTER WARRIORS: PREVIEW, TEAM SELECTION & MATCH COMMENTS
Posted by: Garym (IP Logged)
Date: 01/05/2022 10:42
[quote Duncan96][quote oldbuthappy]Worcester fan here. Well played today, we battled away but your class showed.
Respect to your players for staying out to sign autographs and have photos taken with our supporters.
Good luck in the play offs.[/quote
Just something which I wondered. Can you tell me why so many youngsters were dressed like extras from Pirates of the Caribbean?[/quote]
Worcester fan here. Their was an age group bash on during the morning at the amateurs across the road, which involved both male and female tournaments. As well as the pirates (who were form Bristol) there were some dodgy looking mullets and various other themes.
I would,also reiterate that I was very impressed with Farrell and George at the end for hanging around signing stuff and taking selfie’s with both Sarries and Worcester fans and that is from somebody who has never been the biggest fan of OF.
It was also easy to see why Bristol have struggled this season without Malins and Earl, I thought they were both immense for you yesterday. That was probably our best result against a fullblown Sarries team (although I get the impression they could have scored at will, if needed)
Onwards to next season
Respect to your players for staying out to sign autographs and have photos taken with our supporters.
Good luck in the play offs.[/quote
Just something which I wondered. Can you tell me why so many youngsters were dressed like extras from Pirates of the Caribbean?[/quote]
Worcester fan here. Their was an age group bash on during the morning at the amateurs across the road, which involved both male and female tournaments. As well as the pirates (who were form Bristol) there were some dodgy looking mullets and various other themes.
I would,also reiterate that I was very impressed with Farrell and George at the end for hanging around signing stuff and taking selfie’s with both Sarries and Worcester fans and that is from somebody who has never been the biggest fan of OF.
It was also easy to see why Bristol have struggled this season without Malins and Earl, I thought they were both immense for you yesterday. That was probably our best result against a fullblown Sarries team (although I get the impression they could have scored at will, if needed)
Onwards to next season
Re: WORCESTER WARRIORS: PREVIEW, TEAM SELECTION & MATCH COMMENTS
Posted by: OldMarovian (IP Logged)
Date: 01/05/2022 13:40
Thanks for the reply re MacFarland.
Thanks for sharing your view Garym and also the answer to the Pirate question!
Hard game for Wuss but some very good performances including Ted Hill and Kitchener and Co at the lineout where you caused some real problems. All the best for the rebuild next season.
First time I've watched the game on the paid Premiership site. I hope it works as a business model as I really enjoyed it. Good commentary from Flatman and the Wuss player and I really enjoyed watching at the end as players from both sides walked around chatting to supporters and seemingly at ease.
Thanks for sharing your view Garym and also the answer to the Pirate question!
Hard game for Wuss but some very good performances including Ted Hill and Kitchener and Co at the lineout where you caused some real problems. All the best for the rebuild next season.
First time I've watched the game on the paid Premiership site. I hope it works as a business model as I really enjoyed it. Good commentary from Flatman and the Wuss player and I really enjoyed watching at the end as players from both sides walked around chatting to supporters and seemingly at ease.
Re: WORCESTER WARRIORS: PREVIEW, TEAM SELECTION & MATCH COMMENTS
Posted by: The Bard (IP Logged)
Date: 01/05/2022 17:18
Wuss forwards gave ours a good run for their money, but difference in class of the backs was huge.
We were clearly getting frustrated by the refs decisions towards the end of the first half, Jamie particularly agitated. A hands on the floor against Ben Earl looked particularly harsh. I did wonder whether Rob Baxter’s pronouncements had an influence
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:05:01:17:19:33 by The Bard.
We were clearly getting frustrated by the refs decisions towards the end of the first half, Jamie particularly agitated. A hands on the floor against Ben Earl looked particularly harsh. I did wonder whether Rob Baxter’s pronouncements had an influence
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:05:01:17:19:33 by The Bard.
Re: WORCESTER WARRIORS: PREVIEW, TEAM SELECTION & MATCH COMMENTS
Posted by: Static (IP Logged)
Date: 02/05/2022 13:44
Theo McFarland's disallowed try was interesting listening to the TMO and ref. He was offiside because they decided the lineout had already formed and eh was therefore within 10m. Looking at it though although we had a line of people it didn't seem to me that Wuss had formed their part of the lineout and I have no idea how many people were called for the lineout, so I was not sure how it was deemed to have formed. Did show what incredible athleticism Theo has. He has impressed more and more through the year.
Re: WORCESTER WARRIORS: PREVIEW, TEAM SELECTION & MATCH COMMENTS
Posted by: nedrichards (IP Logged)
Date: 03/05/2022 11:51
Law 18.11 [www.world.rugby]
"A minimum of two players from each team are required to form a lineout. "
"A minimum of two players from each team are required to form a lineout. "
Re: WORCESTER WARRIORS: PREVIEW, TEAM SELECTION & MATCH COMMENTS
Posted by: GazzaFez (IP Logged)
Date: 04/05/2022 00:13
I heard the word scrappy mentioned a few times by the commentators. Probably at east partially justified on a few occasions. But the good bits were often very good. Max Malins obviously had a cracking game and he owes Elliot Daly a few beers for teeing him up nicely for a couple of his tries. They seemed to gel together really well and were able to carve up the Wuss defence at will. Every time I see Theo McFarland play he seems to get better and better. Likewise Ben Earl. He's just enjoying his rugby and is really flourishing. We've got a series of tricky fixtures ahead in the next few weeks but with momentum on our side and the team bubbling along nicely I'm really looking forward to it with quiet confidence.
With the likes of Mako, Maro and Loz still to return in the not too distant future, we've got some serious firepower in reserve as well.
With the likes of Mako, Maro and Loz still to return in the not too distant future, we've got some serious firepower in reserve as well.
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