Worcester Warriors look to secure Premiership place at Bristol
Mar 27 2009 by Brian Dick, Birmingham Post
Mike Ruddock knows that even if Worcester achieve the victory that will secure their Premiership status this Sunday, it will not be good enough to have met the club’s lofty pre-season ambitions.
Warriors visit Bristol knowing a win would condemn their hosts to a second relegation in six years and guarantee Ruddock’s men a sixth straight season in the top flight.
But a likely 11th-place finish would equal Worcester’s worst since they reached the top division and be doubly disappointing given the money that has been spent on Tri Nations superstars such as Chris Latham, Rico Gear, Greg Rawlinson and Sam Tuitupou.
Even in victory there will be little to celebrate. “It would not be enough to say we have had a good season,” Ruddock admitted. “It has not been to the standards we expect but we at least feel the lessons learned along the way will stand us in good stead for next season.
“What will be important to us is putting back-to-back wins together which is something we haven’t done for a while. Being consistent is important.”
Their latest victory came at home to Gloucester last weekend in a performance that was a return to old Worcester.
A narrow game-plan saw Warriors frustrate the Cherry and Whites for all of the scoreless second half.
Ruddock accepts more ambition will be needed at the Memorial Stadium.
“There will be more of a mix to our game,” he said. “If we feel that a certain moment encourages us to get the ball wide then we will look to do that.”
Much depends on how Bristol defend. An aggressive press defence will make that difficult and could see the visitors rely on the boot of Matthew Jones.
The Welshman is set to make a first start since November after his comeback off the bench last Sunday. With Latham out for the season with a dislocated shoulder, Willie Walker will drop back to full back.
Tom Wood will make his return to the squad following his broken jaw although Ruddock will be reluctant to break up the back row union of James Collins, Pat Sanderson and Kai Horstmann, all of whom were exceptional last time out.
The presence of Ruddock’s predecessor at Sixways, John Brain, on the Bristol sideline, will make for an interesting afternoon.
Brain led Warriors to the Premiership and kept them up for three seasons before being replaced. He will not enjoy the irony if his former employers condemn him to relegation.
