Warriors prepare for Rugby 7s Series

If Worcester are to stand a chance of winning this year’s J.P. Morgan Asset Management Premiership Rugby 7s Series then they will have to see off defending champions Saracens after the Vicarage Road outfit sealed their berth in the finals for the second year running.

The Warriors will travel to Edgeley Park on Friday to take on hosts Sale, Newcastle and Leicester in round three of the tournament, battling for a place in the finals at the Stoop on August 5.

But the story of last Friday was the ominous form of a Saracens side that won three from three, dispatching hosts Northampton and Wasps before a valiant fightback saw off Gloucester.   

Former England U20 winger James Short and USA full back Chris Wyles were the pick of the bunch for Sarries at Franklin’s Gardens, running in nine tries between them in an impressive display.

Also progressing from round two of the tournament were Wasps, who took a while to get going before comfortably disposing of Gloucester and Saints.

Northampton appeared to have got off to a flyer when winger Anders Mogensen raced in for the opening try of the evening against the Cherry and Whites.

But that was as good as it got for the home side with Gloucester storming back to a 26-14 win thanks in large part to Mark Woodrow.

Sarries then got their defence of their title underway with a comprehensive 22-14 win over Wasps, Wyles and Short notching two tries apiece before Wasps responded with two late scores.

Despite having to play back-to-back games the Adams Park outift bounced back to see off Gloucester 31-5 in the next game, running in five tries in the process.

Saints were then put to the sword by the unstoppable Short, his pace proving far too much for the hosts as he helped himself to a hat-trick in a 29-7 Saracens win.

And with their place in the final all-but guaranteed, Sarries then showed incredible belief to win the game of the night against Gloucester 28-22.

The Cherry and Whites took an early lead but as was their wont last season, Sarries refused to be beaten and the rampaging Scott Spurling crashed through two tackles to touch down with the final act of the game.

That result left Wasps on the verge of qualification and they duly sealed their place in the finals with a 19-7 win over hapless Saints, Joseph Tariperiajua scoring the pick of the tries.

Tickets for every round of the J.P. Morgan Asset Management Premiership Rugby 7s Series are available through Ticketmaster /www.ticketmaster.co.uk  http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk /or by calling 0844 847 2492


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