Champ Final XV vs Saints

By Phill The Warrior
July 23 2015

I thought I would take a look at the team that played in the final against Bristol vs a potential starting XV vs Saints in October.

The Backs

15 Chris Pennell
One of the first names on any team sheet I would pull together. Heading up what has become a very exciting back 3 for the Warriors

Play against Saints?

100% Leader, attacker, defender and England hopeful

14 Tom Biggs
One of the most exciting wingers to watch and certainly a try scorer, but he is going to face a massive amount of competition in the coming season from the likes of Short, Heem and Smith.

Play against Saints?

Probably

13 Alex Grove
Didn’t play a massive part in our Championship season, but really took his chance when Stelling got injured. Great in defence and seemingly keen to add to his game based on the amount of kicks he started to play towards the end of the season, but I cannot see past a fit Max Stelling.

Play against Saints?

No. Stelling to start.

12 Ryan Mills
Came to us with an injury and didn’t play a full 80 until the middle of December but played very well at both 12 and 10. Very strong runner, sound in defence and can control a game when called upon. The issue for Mills is that Andy Symons was for me one of our top 3 players of the season and with his place kicking gets the nod for a start ahead of Mills.

Play against Saints?

Not if Symons has recovered from his injury. His versatility may make him a natural bench warmer. Not through lack of talent but through the tactical options he brings.

11 Cooper Vuna
Brilliant signing. Looked a bit unfit when he arrived but made an immediate impact. Coops played 9 games for us and scored 8 tries. The smiling assassin can literally score tries from anywhere on the pitch and regularly turns defence into attack. With his size, defensive impact and attacking threat I could even see him doing a job at 13.

Play against Saints?

Yes, although will face similar competition as Biggs

10 Ryan Lamb

Blows hot and cold so far as kicking is concerned and seemingly doesn’t partner Mulchrone very well. This is the first of the positions where new recruits will have a big impact on selection with the arrival of Heathcote. Clearly brought in as a 10 and with a lot to prove.

Play against Saints?

Possibly. He is a Dean Ryan man through and through but if Heathcote has a good preseason I can see him claiming the 10 shirt.

9 Jean-Baptiste Bruzulier
Considered our 3rd choice last season but performed like a seasoned professional in the finals. He is exciting to watch, a natural leader and gets under the skin of every player he comes up against, but can he build a partnership with a 10? I am sure Luke Baldwin will be coming into the club thinking he is ahead of JB but following his performances in the finals JB will have started preseason seeing himself as the current owner of the 9 shirt.

Play against Saints?

Tough call. Based on recent performances Yes, but the cool, calm and experienced Arr will probably get the start.

The Forwards

1 Val Rapava Ruskin
A fantastic young prop and has caught the eye of opposition fans and players alike. He is massive and should cope with the step up in leagues but will need to learn the dark arts very quickly.

Play against Saints?

Yes. Simple as that.

2 Agustin Creevy
The first of our leavers and yet to be replaced. I can’t say enough about how big a loss Gus is to the club. A leader of men, international captain, can scrummage, can throw and his work in the loose is superb. Not taking anything from Annett he is a good young hooker, but he is no Creevy and will face a massive challenge against Saints. Matthew Rees is a rumoured signing, if he joins then I think he will go straight in as first choice, but his injury history suggest Annett would still get plenty of game time.

Play against Saints?

No. Who will? Annett must be considered first choice now but we do need to bring in another experienced hooker for the season ahead. This should be one of Dean Ryan’s key World Cup targets.

3 Nick Schonert
A real star in the making. Mefin Davies stated that he likes to pair up his props, at 6’2” and 119Kg he is a great partner for Ruskin at 6’3” 121Kg. Appiah and Leleimalefaga will fight for starting places next season but Nick and Val have built a very strong partnership and must be relishing the Premiership challenge.

Play against Saints?

Yes. Will be Val’s partner for the season, in my opinion.

4 James Percival
It still hurts to write this, Percy has left. A proper Worcester boy. Loves the club and played every minute of every game like it was his last. Didn’t feature much in the league last season but when called upon played with passion to help drive us through to promotion. I guess Barry would be considered his direct replacement. 6’6” and the best part of 120Kg would suggest Barry will be physical replacement for Percy but hs is vastly inexperienced having never played top flight rugby.

Play against Saints?

Sadly not. Barry, O’Shea or Sanderson would seem to be his replacement for the coming season.

5 Jonathan Thomas

Welsh international back row who has now really made his mark in second row. One of Dean Ryan’s leaders and playing significantly better since the captain’s armband was taken away.

Play against Saints?

100% His leadership and experience will be key

6 Mike Williams
Along with Creevy Mike is a massive loss to the club. Performed equally well at 4 and 6 but now it is time for us, as fans, to move on. Mike sees his chances of England lying with Tigers and I wish him all the best. We have not signed a new 6 but back row is not a position we are short of.

Play against Saints?

No. Hard to call who will start. Betty, Gilbert and Dowson will be the main contenders. With GJ firmly holding the 8 shirt my money would be on Dowson. Yet another DR leader and vastly experienced in the Premiership.

7 Sam Betty
Apart from kicking at goal there doesn’t seem to be anything Sam cannot do. Massive tackles and scoring tries are his key attributes and more of that next season will keep him in the starting XV.

Play against Saints?

I think so. New guy Kirwan is a great player but Sam was outstanding last season.

8 GJ van Velze
Seemingly a Marmite captain for Warriors. There are many fans voicing their disappointment at his performances but I don’t think he has put a foot wrong. A brilliant leader on the pitch and does all of the dirty work in the breakdown and all the quiet work in and around defensive moves. Solid, reliable and talented. Perfect for our return to the Premiership.

Play against Saints?

Yes – Captain.

My Team to start against Saints

The start of the season is too early for Heem to be considered and there is little noise coming out of the camp to say more signings are on their way, so my prediction is:

15 Pennell

14 Biggs

13 Stelling

12 Symons

11 Vuna

10 Heathcote

9 Arr

1 Ruskin

2 Annett

3 Schonert

4 O’Shea

5 Thomas

6 Dowson

7 Betty

8 GJvV – Captain

The bench will depend on preseason performances and injuries but a stab in the dark would say it will include: George, Appiah, Barry, Kirwan, Lamb and Short.

I really wish I was adding the name of Ben Howard in here somewhere, especially as he is my Son’s favourite Warrior, but I just can’t see where he fits at the moment. Pennell is ahead for the starting 15 shirt and players such as Mills and Short are more versatile for the bench. Ben always has a good preseason, but so long as Chris is at the club and injury free then I think his only chances will come during international spells or cup games.

My big question, after all of this: Is this a Premiership quality team?