By Strinesian Saleanian
March 11 2005

The Six Nations restarts whilst the Premiership muddles on with important results being determined by the whim of international coaches. This week, Sale travel down the M6 to Sixways to take on Worcester. Strinesian swirls the tea leaves to see what might happen...

57-3 last time out at Edgeley Park. It’s a no-brainer isn’t it? Cast-iron guaranteed maximum 5 pointer banker win for Sale, surely? Well, er, no, actually, far from it!

First, Sale. The stripping of international assets is well known, but bears repeating: Bruno will again be away with France; Lion-in-waiting, Jason White, will either be crashing and thumping into the Italians or, more worrying, undergoing treatment on the knee he injured in the victory over Leeds (either way, be won’t be on the Sixways turf); and with six (yes six!) players named in England’s initial 30 man England squad for the trip to Ireland, I reckon we’ll be without at least five from Hodgson, Cueto, Robinson, Sheridan, Jones and Titterell.

Sale have one of the smallest first team squads in the ZP, and injuries have taken their toll, so who will start? Well options are obviously limited. Front row picks itself: Stewart, Roddam and Turner (who will also act as the replacement hooker, if necessary), while the two bench replacements are more problematic – with Woodman sadly unavailable, Halsall, if recovered from his injury picked up with the England under-21s, and Bozzi are the most likely, otherwise Coutts could find himself in the 22 for the first time? Second row, again, picks itself, with future internationals Schofield and Day continuing their good work (Caillet and Cox providing back-up?) and so too the back row, where the one piece of good news for Sale fans on an international weekend is that Chabal is back! I expect him to be flanked by Lund (‘forward of the match’ in England A’s recent win against France) and the ever-improving John Carter – although one alternative would see Anglesea at 8 and Sea Bass on the blind side flank.

Scrum half at least provides strength in depth with either Redpath, or Worcester old boy Martens, pairing ‘Billy Smart’ Hercus at 10. I reckon the more physical approach of Sililo might see him get the nod this time against Worcester’s huge pack. Wigglesworth or a fit again Jimmy Moore (injured, ironically, when playing for Orrell in the ‘friendly’ against Sale Jets!) are most likely to provide additional cover on the bench with Ben Foden also available.

At centre, the oldest pairing in Europe might at last be split up following Robert Todd’s groin injury against Leeds. I would expect to see Jos (fresh with a brand new hole in his head, courtesy of a stray Tyke boot) partnered with John Payne who, as PSA hinted in last week’s programme notes, is very close to making his first start. Another injury to Oriel Ripol (hernia), and the continuing absence of the third member of the Tongan mafia, Josh Taumalolo, suggests that Steve Hanley will revert to full back, with Chrises Mayor and Rhys-Jones perhaps completing the back 3.

Still a strong and experienced line-up, with a bit of ‘grunt’ up front, flair and kicking talent in the half-backs, and power/pace at the back. Resources are, however, being stretched to their limits.

And so to the Warriors. The first and major point to make is that although the personnel are broadly the same as those who visited EP back in September, the team is not the same! This is a stronger, more confident, more street-wise, and more experienced outfit. They have climbed away from the bottom of the table with scalps on their belt, points on the board and a growing reputation for building a ‘Fortress Sixways’…just ask Wasps! Secondly, but also very significant, is the fact that Worcester will only lose one player, Ben Hinshelwood, to international duty and so those who remain are used to playing with each other, as first choices, week in week out.

The pack is their weapon of choice, supremely led by Pat Sanderson and containing the most dangerously under-rated second row in the ZP – Sale need to be very wary of Craig Gillies and Tim Collier, especially at the lineouts where these particular Warriors don’t lose many. The recent euphoria on the Wuss message board, when TC announced a new 3-year contract (after being courted by Biarritz, amongst others) speaks volumes. Meanwhile, the front row is best described as ‘combative’ with the likes of Daly, Van Niekirk, Foley, Windo and Horsman providing plenty of ‘grunt’ of their own. MacLeod Henderson is another danger man at 8.

The impressive Matt Powell seems to have claimed the first choice scrum half spot, ahead of Cole and Stuart-Smith (although it amazes me that we haven’t seen more of the latter, who started this season as an outside choice for the full England team and remains highly rated, so it would seem, by Sir Clive Woodward himself).

How James Brown, at fly half, uses the ball his pack will undoubtedly win could be the key to the match. Brown’s decision making has, at times, come in for criticism, but when on form he has potential to be amongst the best attacking players in the ZP – as witnessed by his recent call-up to the England ‘A’ squad, and by his keeping rival Tommy Hayes on the Worcester bench. Worcester have not been renowned for their attacking flair in the backs this season but there is talent and experience aplenty from the likes of Delport, Sampson, O’Leary, Pieters, Rasmussen and Lombard.

So to the result. Worcester have just completed their first Premiership ‘double’ (over Quins) and must start as favourites. They have grown stronger as the season has progressed, winning 9 of their last 12 games (in all competitions), including 5 of their last 6 games at Sixways, while Sale have only won once when shorn of their international contingent (and that was an unexpected, scrappy and some might even say lucky 9-6 victory at London Irish…but they all count!). There is a lot of experience in the Sharks’ line-up, however, and for them too winning is again becoming a habit with 3 more ZP wins on the bounce and looking to make it 4.

Worcester need to prove that the result in September has been ‘put to bed’ and that their future in the ZP is secure. Sale need to prove they can maintain their grip on second place and secure a home draw in the play-offs and a HC place next season. I make it too close to call and probably a losing bonus for whoever doesn’t get the result.

But there is an even more important outcome to consider…after fighting through the rush-hour traffic on Friday evening in a mad race from Manchester, hopefully in time to make the kick off, I will be meeting my parents at the ground, sitting with them during the match, then staying with them, in Evesham, overnight. Sitting around the breakfast table on Saturday morning, the bragging rights will be dished out – I want to be the smug one!!!!! A new story will appear shortly.