No complacency for Warriors
HAVING captain Steve Borthwick back for tonight’s trip to Worcester is a huge boost to us, but we are under no illusions as to the challenge that awaits.
Night games, especially in November, can throw anything up and we know with the wet and the cold, we are in for 80 tough minutes at Sixways.
It’s the kind of night where the league table doesn’t come into play. Worcester are a tough side with a good pack of forwards, a good kicking game and plenty of game-breakers, and we are going to have to repeat the level of performance against Wasps last Sunday, at the very least, to beat them.
TRUE COLOURS
Steve has been playing some great rugby for England these last few weeks and his return gives us extra leadership, a good tactical head and skill level in defence and in the lineout.
We’ve also got Chris Wyles and Moses Rauluni to come back into the squad after returning from international duty with USA and Fiji respectively. Chris comes back into the XV but I was very happy with the contribution of Michael Tagicakibau in his absence; he has forced his way into our squad rotation on merit.
Playing Friday night means I can sit down and watch the Ireland v South Africa game at Croke Park on Saturday. Personally, I’m not sure going for young Leinster fly-half Jonathan Sexton in place of Ronan O’Gara is the right move for the Irish and I just have a feeling that the world champions will finally show their true colours.
• Brendan?Venter is head coach of Saracens. For box office call 01727 792800.