Saracens v Worcester preview: Team news, kick-off time, line-ups, odds and stats for the Aviva Premiership clash - Ruck

Saracens v Worcester preview: Team news, kick-off time, line-ups, odds and stats for the Aviva Premiership clash

  • Saracens are on the hunt for a tenth straight win in all competitions against Worcester on Saturday: 15:15 kick-off
  • Sarries Springbok number eight Ernst Joubert will make his final appearance before retiring
  • The hosts make nine other changes to the side that won at Ulster last weekend
  • Warriors make 14 changes for their Twickenham double-header debut
Saracens have named a strong starting team to face Worcester for Saturday’s Premiership London Double Header at Twickenham.

South African number eight Ernst Joubert bring down the curtain on his career, making his final appearance for Sarries before retiring. The 35-year-old is joined in the back-row by Kelly Brown and Will Fraser in the back-row.

Sarries, who have played in four of the last seven Premiership finals, will be returning to Twickenham for the first time since lifting the trophy by beating Bath in May.

Meanwhile, Worcester, who have never played a game of XVs at Twickenham before, make 14 changes in the wake of last week’s embarrassing European Challenge Cup defeat against Zebre with only flanker Sam Betty keeps his place for Warriors


Check out RUCK’s Aviva Premiership predictions here.

KEY STATS
  • Saracens have won their last nine matches in all tournaments since losing to Exeter Chiefs at Allianz Park in Aviva Premiership Rugby last May
  • Worcester have a won two, lost two record in Aviva Premiership Rugby this season, with both the victories being at Sixways and both defeats on the road
  • Sarries have won their last three Premiership Rugby fixtures against Warriors

PLAYERS TO WATCH
Saracens: Charlie Hodgson

BARNET, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 17: Charlie Hodgson of Saracens during the Aviva Premiership match between Saracens and Sale Sharks at Allianz Park on October 17, 2015 in Barnet, England. (Photo by Clint Hughes/Getty Images)

Former England fly-half Charlie Hodgson announced this week he will retire from professional at the end of the season to become the club’s new head of recruitment. In a game where Worcester will be defensively well organised it will be up to Hodgson to find the gaps with his clever tactical kicking and pin-point passing.


Worcester: Tom Heathcote

WORCESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 16: Tom Heathcote of Worcester celebrates after kicking the winning drop goal during the Aviva Premiership match between Worcester Warriors and Northampton Saints at Sixways Stadium on October 16, 2015 in Worcester, England. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)

If the Warriors are to get anything from this game they need to ensure Tom Heathcote is on top of his game. The number 10 sailed over a last minute drop goal for the Warriors to win their opening game against Northampton, and he will need to deliver that kind of magic again here to give his side any hope.


Saracens: 15 Ben Ransom, 14 Chris Ashton, 13 Marcelo Bosch, 12 Brad Barritt, 11 Chris Wyles, 10 Charlie Hodgson, 9 Ben Spencer, 8 Ernst Joubert, 7 Will Fraser, 6 Kelly Brown, 5 Alistair Hargreaves (c), 4 George Kruis, 3 Juan Figallo, 2 Schalk Brits, 1 Rhys Gill.
Replacements: 16 Jared Saunders, 17 Richard Barrington, 18 Titi Lamositele, 19 Maro Itoje, 20 Samulea Vunisa, 21 Neil De Kock, 22 Owen Farrell, 23 Nick Tompkins.

Worcester Warriors: 15 Chris Pennell, 14 Bryce Heem, 13 Wynand Olivier, 12 Ryan Mills, 11 Cooper Vuna, 10 Tom Heathcote, 9 Jonny Arr, 8 GJ van Velze (c), 7 Sam Betty, 6 Phil Dowson, 5 Darren Barry, 4 Donncha O’Callaghan, 3 Nick Schonert, 2 Niall Annett, 1 Na’ama Leleimalefaga.
Replacements: 16 Jaba Bregvadze, 17 Val Rapava Ruskin, 18 Joe Rees, 19 Tevita Cavubati, 20 Matt Cox, 21 Charlie Mulchrone, 22 Ryan Lamb, 23 Ben Howard.


Date: Saturday 28 November
Venue: Twickenham Stadium
Kick-off: 15:15 GMT
Referee: Ian Tempest
Assistant referees: Peter Huckle, Nigel Carrick
TMO: Rowan Kitt