TEAM NEWS: Warriors unchanged for Northampton trip

Director of Rugby Dean Ryan names an unchanged side from last weekend’s win against Sale Sharks, as Warriors go in search of doing the double over Northampton Saints at Franklin’s Gardens this Saturday (kick-off 2.45pm). 

Worcester sealed a dramatic 13-12 win back in October’s Aviva Premiership curtain-raiser with Saints, thanks to Tom Heathcote’s last-minute drop-goal and the fly-half is given the nod ahead of this week’s Round 14 fixture. 

Heathcote, who also successfully converted six out of seven kicks last weekend, forms the half-back combination with Springbok international Francois Hougaard. 

Ryan Mills and Wynand Olivier start in the centre while Chris Pennell, Bryce Heem and Cooper Vuna complete the back three. 

In the pack, Georgians Val Rapava Ruskin and Jaba Bregvadze start alongside tighthead Nick Schonert, with the experienced Donncha O’Callaghan next to Darren Barry in the second row.

GJ van Velze skippers the side from the back row alongside fellow countryman Dewald Potgieter and openside flanker Carl Kirwan, who bagged his first try for the Club last weekend. 

Ryan said: “That first game against Saints will be a big motivator for them as well as us. We understand the pressure we’re under and nailing results is very important to us. 

“After last weekend’s defeat at Newcastle, they’ll be wanting to come out and play again and that’ll be a huge challenge for us.

“Hopefully last week’s win will be a catalyst for us to keep going and playing with the same intent and to get something else.”

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Warriors
15 Chris Pennell
14 Bryce Heem
13 Wynand Olivier
12 Ryan Mills
11 Cooper Vuna
10 Tom Heathcote
9 Francois Hougaard
1 Val Rapava Ruskin
2 Jaba Bregvadze
3 Nick Schonert
4 Donncha O’Callaghan 
5 Darren Barry 
6 Dewald Potgieter
7 Carl Kirwan 
8 GJ van Velze (C)

Replacements 
16 Niall Annett
17 Na’ama Leleimalefaga
18 James Johnston
19 Dan Sanderson
20 Phil Dowson
21 Luke Baldwin
22 Ryan Lamb
23 Andy Symons


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