DIRECTOR of rugby Dean Ryan believes his side’s trip to newly-promoted Doncaster Knights will be their toughest test of the season.
Worcester Warriors will arrive at Castle Park this afternoon (2.30pm) as strong favourites to beat a side, who were playing in National One last season.
But having seen Doncaster secure successive victories over Plymouth Albion and Jersey, Ryan said his team will have to be on their guard against the Knights. He also believes Warriors’ unconvincing performance at Sixways last week where they defeated Moseley 23-7 has given his players further impetus to showcase their quality.
“Doncaster are a big side who are very well organised under Clive Griffiths,” he said. “They’ll also be full of confidence after wins in their first two outings and they have smartly recruited, so it will probably be the toughest test so far.
“We know the occasion was something at Bristol, but in terms of going to Doncaster, it will be alien to us and we will be playing a decent side at the end of it. They have got a lot of momentum. They were very competitive in pre-season as they pushed Newcastle pretty close, so it will be a tough.
“But I’m expecting us to be sharper, innovative and more focused about how to get through it. I don’t expect us to get caught twice.”
A majority of Worcester’s 22, who struggled to put Moseley away last week remain, with Ravai Fatiaki, Matt Cox and Christian Scotland Williamson being replaced by Andy Symons, Sam Betty and Dan Sanderson respectively.
Chris Pennell once again sits out, with Ben Howard coming in as his replacement, while Charlie Mulchrone has kept his place in the side after scoring two tries last Saturday.
Ryan added: “This isn’t about 15 players. There’ll always be changes and it is going to be a common thing. The core of the side will be fairly similar but we’ve got to get more players through.
“Mulchrone was outstanding last week but we know Jonny Arr has been outstanding for us too. So we’re not going to just stick with one of them. We’re going to make sure they all get their chance.”
Warriors’ side to face Doncaster: Howard, Smith, Grove, Symons, Biggs, Mieres, Mulchrone (VC), Bower, Annett, Schonert, Percival, Sanderson, Williams, Betty, Van Velze (C)
Replacements: George, Daniels, Rapava Ruskin, Cox, Arr, Eden, Stelling
Caption: Director of rugby Dean Ryan has brought Andy Symons and Sam Betty back into his starting line up. Picture by Andy Baldwin.