By Bonso
February 14 2013

Saints Head to Worcester this weekend determined to show what they are capable of, following a very mixed bag of results. Bonso takes off his hat and lays his cigar aside to bring us his preview. 

Aviva Premiership Round 15

Worcester Warriors Vs Northampton Saints 16^th February @ Sixways Stadium.

Strap yourselves in boys and girls this one definitely won’t be pretty, and that is no reference to Andy Goode’s similarity once to Jethro Tull’s Aqualung cover.

Jethro Tull                                                                  Andy Goode

The weather and likely state of the pitch makes me think that this is going to be a big bad old fest of steaming forwards and shivering backs. (Wonders if the collective noun for a group of forwards could be a “Fester of forwards”). This to me looks like an arm wrestle of the packs with the accuracy of the kickers and the discipline of the forwards deciding the day.

Both teams must be looking at this as a must win game. Worcester are suffering a mild form of “Saintitus” with their lovely facilities off the pitch belying their performance on it this term. Warriors really need this one to start a table climb and open some air from the relegation battle. Saints on the other hand need this to kick start a season that has left one and all exasperated and confused at what is going on with the team. Yet strangely for all the doom and gloom being pronounced there is still much for Saints to play for, Heineken Rugby and top four still possible.

The form book when consulted states that both teams don’t have any. If anything Warriors narrow losses seem to suggest they are in better fettle than Saints. However if Saints were to remember themselves it will not be easy for Warriors. Both sides are without key players like Pennell and Wood and as at the time of writing I have no team selection to look at I will try to be general in my appraisal.

In the front row I think Saints still have the edge, but Saints have to be smarter about how they use it and the referee’s feedback. I would expect Warriors to struggle late on as the second string boys get there go. Also Saints will have skipper Dylan Hartley back from a good weekend in Dublin. Having said all this tons will depend on Mr Garner’s interpretation.

In the second row Warriors will be solid with the ex-saint Percival and the old warhorse Gillies bound to play a part. Saints are at a little bit sixes and sixes there at the moment with almost anyone playing there. Lawes and Manoa who knows but for sure Hartley will help cure the jitters on our own ball.

The back row competition will be fiery Best and Kvesic, Dowson and I hope Nuttley locking horns and maybe James Craig as well joining the party. Should be fun and really might well decide the game.

I would expect to see Dickson and Myler start given the probable conditions, and for Warriors Goode and Arr.  Honours even there methinks.

In the centres I hope that Clarkey takes pity on his poor old club and has a mare (not really). In truth apart from the ever present Pisi G I wonder what is going on there for Saints. Warriors though with the steady Grove ,and well we all know about Clarke, seem more settled.

Hopefully Foden will be fit and will displace Wilson to the wing along with the impressive willing and brave Elliot on the other giving Saints a very solid look in the back 3. However who knows Lemi can make magic from anywhere and is one of those players I love watching.

The result Hmmmmmm can I tell you on Sunday.

All right then Saints by more than Warriors.