Grove replaces injured Stelling for play-off opener - The Worcester Observer

Grove replaces injured Stelling for play-off opener

Worcester Editorial 1st May, 2015 Updated: 19th Oct, 2016   0
CENTRE Alex Grove has been re-called to Worcester Warriors’ starting line-up as they aim to beat London Scottish in the first leg of their

play-off semi-final tomorrow (Saturday). 

The Scotland international, who was part of the British & Irish Cup winning squad, has not featured in the Greene King IPA Championship since Worcester’s match against Doncaster in January.

But following an hamstring injury to Max Stelling, which could rule him out for the rest of the season, director of rugby Dean Ryan has called upon Grove’s services for the clash in Richmond.




With Chris Pennell also on the treatment table after picking up a knee problem last week, Ben Howard has been handed the 15 shirt and will be part of a back-line which features Cooper Vuna and the returning Sam Smith.

Ryan Lamb and Ryan Mills maintain their partnership at fly-half and inside-centre respectively while Charlie Mulchrone has been recalled at number-nine.


The front five remain unchanged while Argentinian international Leonardo Senatore comes into the back-row for Jonathan Thomas, who has not been dropped from the 22.

Warriors will arrive at the Athletic Ground off the back of a 30-26 defeat to Bristol, who held on to top spot, and Ryan said his players will be determined to bounce back and secure a big aggregate lead ahead of the return leg.

“We are a little bit frustrated that we did not get the result we wanted,” he said. “I thought the supporters were magnificent with a full house at Sixways, so I wanted that result for them as much as anybody else as it has been a long season, but we didn’t, so we are keen to get going again.

“We want to get to the final, but we have to get through London Scottish. The contest is over 160 minutes and we have got to be in the best shape to make sure we win it.”

Warriors’ side to face London Scottish: 
Howard, Smith, Grove,Mills, Vuna, Lamb,Mulchrone, Bower, Annett, Schonert, Williams, O’Shea, Senatore, Betty, Van Velze (C)

Replacements: Creevy, Fainga’anuku, Rees, Percival, Lewis, Arr, Hammond

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