Worcester v Saracens preview

Published: Thursday, 22. November, 2012 in category Saracens
Neil Best: Back in action for Worcester

Following a break from league for the LV= Cup, Hill names Joe Carlisle, Nikki Walker and Errie Claassens in his back division.

Up front former Ireland international Neil Best make his first league start of the season while No 8 Semisi Taulava is rewarded for his displays in the LV= Cup.

On the bench, Rob O'Donnell is poised to make his first league appearance for Warriors.

Former England Under-20s full-back Ben Ransom will make his Saracens debut at Sixways.

Ransom has had to patiently wait for his chance, and has honed his skills on loan at Bedford, however he gets his chance with Alex Goode, Owen Farrell, Brad Barritt and Chris Ashton away on international duty.

Despite also missing Mouritz Botha, Mako Vunipola and Schalk Brits due to the England and South Africa clash at Twickenham, Saracens will be buoyed by the return of the likes of Matt Stevens, Steve Borthwick, Ernst Joubert and Richard Wigglesworth.

Worcester: 15 Chris Pennell, 14 Nikki Walker, 13 Josh Matavesi, 12 Joe Carlisle, 11 Errie Claassens, 10 Andy Goode, 9 Paul Hodgson, 1 Ceri Jones, 2 Ed Shervington, 3 John Andress, 4 James Percival (c), 5 Chris Jones, 6 Neil Best, 7 Matt Kvesic, 8 Semisi Taulava.

Replacements:16 Aleki Lutui, 17 Rob O'Donnell, 18 James Currie, 19 Dean Schofield, 20 Sam Betty, 21 Jonny Arr, 22 Alex Grove, 23 Andy Short.

Saracens: 15 Ben Ransom, 14 David Strettle, 13 Joel Tomkins, 12 Kameli Ratuvou, 11 Duncan Taylor, 10 Nils Mordt, 9 Richard Wigglesworth, 1 Matt Stevens, 2 Jamie George, 3 Carlos Nieto, 4 Steve Borthwick, 5 Alistair Hargreaves, 6 Jackson Wray, 7 Andy Saull, 8 Ernst Joubert. Replacements:16 John Smit, 17 Nick Auterac, 18 Lorenzo Romano, 19 Eoin Sheriff, 20 Will Fraser, 21 Neil de Kock, 22 Sam Stanley, 23 James Short.