Same again Warriors for Carnegie clash

Director of Rugby Mike Ruddock has kept faith with the same team he prepares to unleash his Warriors against Leeds Carnegie in the Guinness Premiership on Sunday (kick-off 1pm).

Ruddock has named the same 22 that stunned Leicester Tigers last time out as Warriors prepare for the crunch top-flight encounter on home soil.

New Zealand wing Rico Gear misses out with a viral injury and Wales international Chris Horsman is ruled out with an ankle injury.


Darren Morris and Loki Crichton are unavailable for selection after suffering stingers and Fijian international Netani Talei is out with a knee problem.


Ruddock has given his side a stamp of approval by naming the same starting line-up but warns they will need to be at their best to match a pumped up Leeds Carnegie side.


“Leeds power out the blocks, they are incredibly enthusiastic and they went ahead against us up there,” he said. “They also went 13-0 up against Leicester at Welford Road, which takes a bit of doing, and at half time against Bristol they were up 13-6.


“Part of our game plan is match that enthusiasm, endeavour and intensity – if we don’t do that then we could find ourselves on the back foot at half time and come back out chasing the game.”


“We’ve been doing our homework on Leeds and making sure we have looked at everything very closely to make sure we there are no surprises for us and then we can make a game plan to deal with them,” he added.


“If we win Leeds will have to do well to come back, we can never say they are out of it totally for example who would of thought that two weeks ago we would go up to Sale and win.”


Warriors v Leeds Carnegie


15 Thinus Delport
14 Marcel Garvey
13 Dale Rasmussen
12 Sam Tuitupou
11 Miles Benjamin
10 Shane Drahm
9 Matt Powell


1 Tony Windo
2 Aleki Lutui
3 Tevita Taumoepeau
4 Greg Rawlinson
5 Craig Gillies
6 Tom Wood
7 Pat Sanderson (c)
8 Kai Horstmann


16 Matt Mullan
17 Shaun Ruwers
18 Will Bowley
19 Drew Hickey
20 Ryan Powell
21 Joe Carlisle
22 Chris Pennell


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