By Strinesian Saleanian
November 7 2005

"Winning ugly" is the new mantra at EP. It's brought us 2 out of 2 in the European Cup and top spot in the Premiership. With three more weeks without our internationals, can this new-found skill see us through where last year we failed? Strinesian looks at a game that should see our pack tested.

Remember the last day of last season, when all 12 ZP teams had 'something to play for'? It was said then (often) that, "any team could beat any other team". That has certainly been proved to be true in the GP: after just two rounds, only the unlikely Bristol had a 100% record; after three rounds, that had also gone. Ironically, that being said, going into week 4 the top three had a familiar look to it - Leicester, Wasps & Sale. A potential interloper was, however, loitering in fourth place - after drawing with Gloucester and back-to-back wins against Irish and London Sale, unbeaten Wuss were waiting in the wings.

Since then, Sharks and Warriors have been going in opposite directions, but only just. After the GP resumption last weekend, Sale sit on top of the league, while Worcester have consolidated and maintain a very respectable 5^th place. Indeed, while Sale did well to ‘hang on’ against bottom club Leeds Tykes, Worcester entertained Leicester, and the visitors left with only a losing bonus point to show for their efforts!

Last season’s results will offer few clues to Friday’s game. Sale achieved a record 57-3 win at home, against the then ‘new boys’, while a decimated 6 Nations selection were turned over 23-10 in front of the Sky cameras at Sixways. Much has changed, in both camps, since then.

As last year, Worcester will not lose too many of their personnel to the international sideshow. Pat Sanderson is the only player included in Andy Robinson’s 22, and deservedly so, although Craig Gillies must be wondering exactly what else he needs to do. Hinshelwood has been discarded by Scotland, for the time being, and Andy Gomersall’s England duties don’t reach as far as the ‘30’. Worcester’s weapon of choice, the front five, remains very tough – although injury problems have started to bite into the front row…which adds to the irony that their only other call-up is Chris Horsman, who has finally become Welsh!

The Warriors have experience throughout their three-quarters in the likes of Gomersall, Delport and Drahm, whose boot was responsible for all 15 points against the Tigers. They also have some real pace on the wings from England 7s speedster Jon Hylton, and youngster Uche Oduoza. Incredibly, though, they seem to get very little ball, as John Brain’s gameplan usually revolves around one of the biggest and strongest packs in the business, led by the veteran Tony Windo. If fit, look out for Tim Collier at lock, officially the heaviest player in the GP – if there are bigger thighs anywhere on a rugby field, I’ve yet to see them!

Meanwhile, at full strength, it seems Sale have now learned to ‘win ugly’ at ‘Fortress EP’, with their most recent victories, against the ‘mighty’ Wasps and Munster, not even yielding a loser’s bonus point to the visitors. But minus the likes of Hodgson, Cueto, Sheridan, Jones, White, Taylor, Lobbe, Bruno and Chabal (or maybe not!), we are in different territory…although as far as games against the Wuss are concerned, it is not unusual territory: For the record, not many of the 22 who played in Sale’s last match against Worcester will be available or considered for selection this time: Hanley started at full back, with Wiggy & Mayor on the wings, CRJ and debutant John Payne in the centres, and a half back combination of Redpath and Hercus. Cover on the bench was supplied by Jason Duffy and Sililo Martens (who finished the match at full back, one of 3 scrum halves on the pitch!). The front row comprised Stu and the Bear (replaced by Bozzi and Coutts, a second debutant, respectively), with Jonny Roddam at 2 (Stu Turner was the official replacement hooker). Daisy and Deano were in the ‘engine room’, and the back row was made up from Caillet, Carter and Sea Bass, who had just been dropped from the French squad. Pete Anglesea and Maggie completed the bench.

PSA’s claims of increased ‘strength in depth’, compared to last year, got their first real test last week at Headingley, and a comparison with the side listed above suggests he is correct. With the likes of Titterell, Coutts, Robinson, Elvis (if fit), Larrechea, Courrent (if fit), Taione and Ripol, the prospects do indeed look better this time around. The ‘Autumn XV’ which crossed the Pennines will have benefited from some game time together, but the standards will need to be raised this week. Worcester will be no pushovers up front (literally) but overall Sale could, and should, still be too strong.