Saints clash offers tough test warns Solomons - The Worcester Observer

Saints clash offers tough test warns Solomons

Worcester Editorial 24th Oct, 2019   0

WARRIORS chief Alan Solomons has warned his side they are in for a tough game when they travel to face Northampton Saints at Franklin’s Gardens this weekend.

Saints go into Saturday’s Premiership clash (kick off 2pm) on the back of a 27-25 opening day win over a Saracens side shorn of a number of players due to the Rugby World Cup.

But despite the absences of a number of key players, Solomons has warned his Sixways side not to underestimate the Saints.

“Although Saracens are missing a number of players that was still a very good win on the road so we are in for a tough game,” he said.




“The game will have a lot more tempo in it, that’s for sure because Northampton like to get pace into their game and Franklin’s Gardens is a fast track to play on.”

Warriors go into the game on the back of an 24-16 opening day win over Leicester Tigers, their fifth straight win against them in all competitions.


First half tries from Ted Hill and Perry Humphreys and 14 points from the boot of Duncan Weir helped Warriors to complete a quickfire double over Leicester following victory in the Premiership Rugby Cup last month.

“It was very important to get the campaign off to a good start and to get four points,” Solomons said.

“The game never really got pace into it. It was very stop-start and we were unable to inject the tempo we would have liked.

“There were 13 penalties against us, a lot of them at the breakdown, and we will be certainly looking to reduce that this week and going forward,” he added.

Warriors World Cup stars Joe Taufete’e and Ed Fidow are back at Sixways after the USA and Samoa were eliminated from the showpiece event taking place in Japan.

While both are back in training, Solomons admitted both may not feature in the game with the Saints.

“It’s easier for Joe because he has been part and parcel of the club for some time,” he said.

“Ed has not played a match for us. He is still getting used to our systems so he will need a bit of time to bed in.”

The Warriors director of rugby confirmed Andrew Kitchener has an infected thumb and has not trained with the side this week while Justin Clegg has cleared the concussion protocols following his injury while playing for Hartpury.

Sam Lewis will be in contention for the trip to Northampton after being taken out of the squad for the Tigers clash to recover from a rib injury.

Buy Photos

Buy photos online from the Worcester Observer newspaper.

Online Editions

Catch up on your local news by reading our e-editions on the Worcester Observer.

Reader Travel

Check out all of the latest reader travel offers to get your hands on some free gifts.

Recruitment

Find a career you'll love with our free career finder website.