Match Day - Warriors at Welsh

The end of the 2012/13 Aviva Premiership season is upon us and Worcester Warriors travel to London Welsh. I'm not sure if it will be a sad affair or a party for Welsh saying goodbye not only to the Premiership but also to Oxford. Either way we are putting out a team with a lot to prove and I fancy getting that away day monkey off our back, at last. 

The front row is pretty much as it has been for 2013. Mullan making his final appearance after 8 years amazing service for the club. Ed Shervington in charge of throwing and Euan Murray set to play his 14th game in blue and gold. I know he won't be happy but I'm quite glad he didn't make the Lions tour. Don't get me wrong, I want our players to win caps for country and touring sides, but it does mean he gets a good rest and full preseason with Dean Ryan ready for next season. As our 'marquee' signing he has a lot to live up to. 

The second row pairing of captain Percy and Chris Jones has been our best all season. Chris returned from injury and came straight into the side ahead of Schofield, has surpassed the 200 premiership appearance mark and frankly played out of his skin. James Percival on the other hand has been on the pitch for all but 12 minutes of the entire premiership season, leading from the front and proving that if you sliced him in half, just like a cheap piece of Blackpool Rock, he would read Worcester Warriors, all the way through.

The back row is a first. A first for the combination and a first league cap for Warriors new boy Rich de Carpentier. The 23 year old former Tigers back row, recently returned from 7's International duty in Hong Kong. To be fair he didn't play that much but he seemed to get a good tan!
Another first, so far as I can remember, is we are playing a specialist 6 at 7 whilst keeping our specialist 7 on the bench. Technicalities I'm sure but what it means is that we have Best at 6 and Betty at 7. Now this combination is going one of two ways. Amazing defence freeing up the agile Rich dC or a shed load of yellow cards against the Warriors. 
I feel we always look smaller as a team when Semisi is not playing, but after the hit he took against Quins it's not a massive shock he is not playing today. 

The 9 - 10 pairing of Arr and Goode has been one of the best partnerships we have seen this season. Are was recently quoted saying that Perry being at the club has really helped his game develop. Well I think playing with Andy Goode has equally helped him develop into our first choice 9 ahead of Dodge. 

Goode is playing his last game for Worcester, having spent the best part of an hour saying goodbye, posing for pictures and kissing babies 2 weeks ago, I think it is clear to him that he will be missed by the fans. Will we miss him as a player? You can't argue with an average of 10 points per game when he has played over 80 games, but recent fitness and form mean his impact has been somewhat diluted making it much easier for Mieres and Warwick to take over the 10 role from Goode and Carlisle next season. 

Our wings are rapid. What Ben Howard lacks in experience he makes up in height, kicking ability and pace. Josh D has been playing exciting rugby all season and the improvements in his defensive game have been massive. To keep an international player like Nikki Walker out of the team, except for 13 games is very impressive. 
We will miss Lemi today. Who wouldn't? The pocket rocket has played 22 games scoring 55 points. Yes, he has a massive 50% score rate, which compared to our other and historic wingers is amazing!

The 12 & 13 partnership is controversial to some fans as not only has our best 13 moved to 12 our soon to be ex 'star utility back' is selected at 13.  For me I think it is great.  I am biased as I have been fortunate enough to sponsor Andy Short and got to know him off the pitch.  He is an amazing lad and ever since he scored the opening try of the Italy JWC for England I have been sure he was a massive talent for the future.  This guy must have had the worst luck in rugby history for injuries, well maybe second to Ezra Taylor, with a loan to Pirates going really well last season it ended in a shoulder injury, a couple operations and a long lay off, then at the JP Morgan 7's he had his wrist broken by a ridiculous Gloucester tackle, that went completely unpunished.  



Our loss is Bristol's gain and I am glad Andy gets to make one last appearance.  I have a signed Andy Short 2012/13 Warriors home shirt sitting proudly on the wall of my sons bedroom and I will be following his Bristol career with interest.

Me, the rose between two thorns - Ollie Hayes & Andy Short 

Full back is held by the recently amazing and increasingly ever present Chris Pennell.  I have written a lot about him recently so I won't gush too much now, but another performance like that against Quins will remind the Warriors faithful why we did not retain the services of soon to be Sale Shark Arscott.

The bench is pretty much as good as it gets, with an added bonus - Max Stelling.  The 6'3" centre has been on loan to Jersey this season and played a big part in them staving off relegation.  He is not even 20 years old yet but has already made 3 senior appearances scoring 5 tries.  Not bad for a teenage centre!  I really hope he gets a decent run against Welsh and if, a BIG if, if we are in the lead when he comes on I have a very good feeling that he will get on the score board again.

There are a lot of good byes to be said by both teams today, but the biggest one for Warriors is good bye to our poor away record.  A win is needed today and with the mix of determination and youth I think we have what it takes to get that elusive victory.  It must be noted that Welsh are missing what might be considered 10 of their First XV but with our 18 months of poor away performances I am sure the team will take nothing for granted.

Full Team

Warriors v London Welsh

15 Chris Pennell
14 Josh Drauniniu
13 Andy Short
12 Alex Grove
11 Ben Howard
10 Andy Goode
9 Jonny Arr

1 Matt Mullan
2 Ed Shervington
3 Euan Murray
4 James Percival (c)
5 Chris Jones
6 Neil Best
7 Sam Betty
8 Richard de Carpentier

Replacements:

16 Aleki Lutui
17 Rob O'Donnell
18 John Andress
19 Dean Schofield
20 Jake Abbott
21 Paul Hodgson
22 Danny Gray
23 Max Stelling

Verdict

If it comes down to who wants this more then I think Welsh will record a home victory.  They want to go out with a bang and many of the players are playing to secure squad places next season.  If running rugby, team work and the will of the captain have anything to do with this game then Warriors will finally get an away day victory in the Premiership.

A loss could see us slip to 11th place.  A win could see us secure the 9th place we have been gripping onto since round 6.  

Irish to lose, Warriors to win and 9th place to be ours.  Away win 12-18