RUGBY NEWS: Fab Five to make Warriors league debuts
Worcester Warriors hand club debuts to five summer signings as they face Bath Rugby in the opening game of the season in the Aviva Premiership at Sixways Stadium on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).
Dean Schofield will captain Worcester for the first time and is paired with James Percival in the second row.
Giant Tongan Number Eight Semisi Taulava will make his Aviva Premiership debut in a back row that also contains Chris Jones and Sam Betty
Prop John Andress is the third new face in the pack and lines up with England international Matt Mullan and hooker Aleki Lutui.
Samoa international captain David Lemi will make his debut and provide the firepower out wide with Josh Drauniniu while a new centre pairing sees Josh Matavesi handed his first start alongside Alex Grove.
Chris Pennell will operate at full back while Andy Goode and Shaun Perry will form the half back pairing for the opening afternoon of league action.
“We give five home debuts and we are excited to see how the new players make an impact for us,” said Head Coach Richard Hill.
“Dean Schofield, John Andress and Semisi Taulava come into a big and mobile pack while we feel David Lemi and Josh Matavesi will add a real attacking threat to our game.
“Semisi and Josh are players who have come here under the radar but are exceptionally good signings. We wanted a big ball carrying Number Eight and what Semisi did for Rotherham was very destructive.
“We are undoubtedly a better team than we were this time last year and now we want to see it all come together.
“The spirit at Sixways is superb, better than I have ever seen it, and we are a tight-knit group that knows one win can really spark us off.
“Over the last seven years this club has not achieved enough and our job is make sure we progress,” he added. “Every year it gets better here in terms of the infrastructure, the management of the club and we have brought in better coaches and players.
“As coaches and players the time is now to perform. We have prepared as well as we can and now we have got to do it.
“We are excited about the future. The players are really looking forward to it and being part of a club that knows where it is going. There is pressure but we all want to be part of it and see all the work we have done come together against Bath.”
Tickets remain on sale for the Warriors versus Bath league opener. Call the Warriors Box Office on 01905 454183 or visit www.warriors.co.uk
Warriors vs. Bath Rugby
15 Chris Pennell
14 Josh Drauniniu
13 Alex Grove
12 Josh Matavesi
11 David Lemi
10 Andy Goode
9 Shaun Perry
1 Matt Mullan
2 Aleki Lutui
3 John Andress
4 James Percival
5 Dean Schofield (c)
6 Chris Jones
7 Sam Betty
8 Semisi Taulava
Replacements
16 Ollie Hayes
17 Ceri Jones
18 James Currie
19 Craig Gillies
20 Matt Kvesic
21 Jonny Arr
22 Joe Carlisle
23 Ben Howard
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