Rugby Previews

Saints and Warriors in action this weekend

by Joe Lobo
Northampton Saints
Northampton Saints will be looking to maintain their lead at the top of the Premiership Photo: PA

London Irish v Northampton Saints

Position: 1st

Form: WWWWW

Odds: London Irish - 2/1, Draw - 20/1, Northampton - 4/11

Team:

15 James Wilson

14 Ken Pisi

13 Dom Waldouck

12 Luther Burrell

11 Vasily Artemyev

10 Stephen Myler

9 Lee Dickson

1 Soane Tonga'uiha

2 Mike Haywood

3 Brian Mujati

4 Samu Manoa

5 Mark Sorenson

6 Courtney Lawes

7 Tom Wood

8 Phil Dowson (capt)

Replacements

16 Ross McMillan

17 Alex Waller

18 Paul Doran Jones

19 Teimana Harrison

20 Rhys Oakley

21 Martin Roberts

22 Ryan Lamb

23 Tom May

Saints will travel to Reading having just completed their best ever start to a Premiership season.

Despite that, Director of Rugby, Jim Mallinder admits his side will have to be wary of what is a talented side packed full of internationals.

London Irish have plenty of danger in all areas of their team and their goal kickers will punish us if we lose our discipline in our own half.

Last Friday's game against Wasps was just about our most complete performance of the season, and we will be looking to build on that tomorrow. We need to maintain control, impose ourselves and take our chances, and then we will have the result we want.

– Jim Mallinder, Director of Rugby, Northampton Saints

But the Saints will be confident of extending their run, one made all the more remarkable considering their current injury problems.

Dylan Hartley and Ben Foden are among a number of players missing through injury and, with their return still some way off, Mallinder will be relying on his pack of experienced internationals to see them through.

Andy Goode
Andy Goode and Worcester will be looking for some breathing space between them and the relegation zone Credit: PA

London Wasps v Worcester Warriors

Position: 8th

Form: WLDLL

Odds: Wasps - 4/11, Draw - 20/1, Worcester - 2/1

Team:

  1. Chris Pennell

  2. Jon Clarke

  3. Alex Grove

  4. Josh Matavesi

  5. David Lemi

  6. Andy Goode

    1. Jonny Arr
    2. Matt Mullan
    3. Aleki Lutui
    4. John Andress
    5. James Percival
    6. Dean Schofield
    7. Chris Jones
    8. Sam Betty
    9. Matt Kvesic

Replacements:

  1. Ollie Hayes

  2. Ceri Jones

  3. James Currie

  4. Craig Gillies

  5. Paul Hodgson

  6. Joe Carlisle

Free scoring Warriors will be hoping to secure a shaky defence to give some breathing space between them and the relegation zone.

The Warriors have scored four tries against high-flying Northampton and London Irish but have only managed one win this season.

We've been working exceptionally hard and have prepared meticulously to attack and defend against Wasps. The players are hungry and ready to take Wasps on.

We are finishing strongly and scoring more points than the vast majority of teams in the league, but in the first quarter we are not so strong. So away from home in particular, we will concentrate on starting well.

– Richard Hill, head coach, Worcester Warriors

Jon Clarke will make his first Premiership start for Worcester.

The former Northampton centre came off the bench to score a late bonus point try in last weekend's win over London Irish.

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