Thomas to lead Warriors for Moseley 'dog fight' - The Worcester Observer

Thomas to lead Warriors for Moseley 'dog fight'

Worcester Editorial 28th Nov, 2014 Updated: 19th Oct, 2016   0

FORMER Wales international Jonathan Thomas has been handed the captaincy as Worcester Warriors look to take a step closer to making the last eight of the British & Irish Cup with victory over Moseley at Sixways.

Tomorrow’s (Saturday) local derby, which head coach Carl Hogg expects to be a “dog fight”, also sees Chris Pennell given his first start since Warriors’ opening day of the season clash against Bristol.

Hogg said he was delighted to welcome the duo back into the starting line as he believes their added experience could play a big factor in securing qualification from Pool Three.

“Over the season we have always wanted to create healthy competition for places and I think the B&I cup has given us that opportunity to play a younger group,” he said.




“I think they have done fantastically well, but we have got into a position where we can qualify, so therefore the outcome at the weekend is critical.

“We know that Moseley are a street-wise side and they gave us a really tough test down here earlier this season. We had a ten minute purple patch in the B&I Cup in Moseley and we were pretty clinical and accurate during that period just before half time which took the contest away. But for long periods it was a dog fight, so we are expecting the same on the weekend.”


Rising stars Tiff Eden, Dean Hammond and Perry Humphreys have retained their places in the cup competition, while academy aces Shay Kerry, Andrew Boyce and Josh Watkins have been named on the bench.

But Warriors have opted to go for a more experienced side, with Jonny Arr, Rob O’Donnell, Alex Grove and James Percival all returning to the side.

Hogg said he has also urged his players to put Moseley to the sword if they get themselves into a winning position as Warriors have let slip healthy leads in their last two Greene King IPA Championship games.

“There has been elements, especially in the first half, when we have been reasonably clinical and we have given ourselves opportunities to push on which we have not been able to take,” he said.

“We have had a look at that this week and we have addressed some of our issues around that, so I expect a more balanced performance over the 80 minutes.”

Warriors’ side to face Moseley: Pennell, Humphreys, Grove, Fatiaki, Hammond, Eden, Arr, Bower, George, O’Donnell, Percival, Sanderson, De Carpentier, Betty, Thomas (C)

Replacements: Sowrey, Rees, Kerry, Boyce, Mulchrone, Lamb, Watkins

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