Warriors make seven changes ahead of European decider - The Worcester Observer

Warriors make seven changes ahead of European decider

Worcester Editorial 19th Jan, 2018   0

WARRIORS head coach Carl Hogg has made seven changes to the Warriors starting line-up as his side look to claim a quarter-final place when they travel to Brive in the final pool game of the European Challenge Cup on Saturday.

Ben Howard comes into the side at full-back, while centre Jackson Willison and scrum-half Michael Dowsett are also recalled.

There are two changes in the front row as Ryan Bower is named at loosehead alongside hooker Kurt Haupt, while Alafoti Faosiliva and Matt Cox return to the back row.

Elsewhere in the forward pack, GJ van Velze will captain the side for the second consecutive game, while Darren Barry will once again partner Pierce Phillips in the second row. Simon Kerrod keeps his place at tighthead.




In the backline Hogg keeps faith with wingers Perry Humphreys and Dean Hammond, while Chris Pennell is given another game at centre. Jamie Shillcock will again line-up at fly-half.

A win for Warriors on Saturday will be enough for them to qualify for the knockout stages as one of the three best runners-up across the five pools.


Warriors currently occupy the third best runners-up spot, but the final pool tables could well look very different come Saturday evening as clubs battle to progress to the final eight.

If Warriors did reach the knockout stages of the European Challenge Cup, it would be the first time they have made it to that stage of the competition since 2009 – a year in which the Sixways side went all the way to the semi-finals.

Printing

We can provide all of your printing needs at competitive rates.

Recruitment

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

Public Notices

View and download all of the public notices in the Worcester Observer.

Reader Travel

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