News

Preview: Bath v Worcester

September 26 2008

Having taken on the kicking duties against London Irish last weekend, young winger Jack Cuthbert has been handed the honour this Saturday against Worcester at the Recreation Ground.

After replacing Butch James with the tee, the giant wing kicked three penalties against the Exiles, Cuthbert has been awarded the starting berth again for the third of Bath's derby matches this season having impressed the coaches with his ability and professional mindset.

"He is a very accomplished kicker," said Skills and Defence Coach Brad Davis earlier this week.

"Jack is spending a lot of time on the practice ground and working hard at his game. I think that in the corresponding fixture last year when we played Worcester he scored a couple of tries, but unfortunately he had a couple of injuries that set him back."

Elsewhere, although wing Matt Banahan is still out due to his hamstring injury, Jonny Fa'amatuainu comes back into the fold to face the Warriors in the back-row.

Meanwhile, visiting Worcester welcome back lock Craig Gillies to their starting line-up as they look to spring a surprise on the road.

Gillies replaces Will Bowley, who is ruled out with a broken thumb, and highly-rated second row Graham Kitchener comes onto the replacements bench.

Director of Rugby, Mike Ruddock, also makes a change in the front-row with prop Tevita Taumoepeau starting with Chris Horsman named among the replacements.

Worcester's final change to the side that were narrowly beaten by Leicester Tigers last weekend comes in the back-row where Kai Horstmann plays at blindside flanker with Tom Wood moving to openside to replace the injured James Collins.

Skipper Pat Sanderson (quad), Rico Gear (Achillies), Marcel Garvey (hip) and Hal Luscombe (knee) are all ruled out through injury.

Form: Bath have won three of their last four games in all competitions but lost last time out at the Rec, 17-21 to Gloucester. Worcester Warriors' only win so far was 11-10 at London Wasps on September 14 as they attempt to win back to back away games in the Premiership for the first time since January 2007. Worcester's only victory over Bath in nine previous attempts in all competitions was 21-15 at Sixways in the Guinness Premiership on March 3, 2007.

The teams:

Bath: 15 Nick Abendanon, 14 Joe Maddock, 13 Alex Crockett, 12 Shaun Berne, 11 Jack Cuthbert, 10 Butch James, 9 Michael Claassens, 8 Jonny Fa'amatuainu, 7 Michael Lipman (c), 6 Stuart Hooper, 5 Peter Short, 4 Justin Harrison, 3 Matt Stevens, 2 Lee Mears, 1 David Flatman.

Replacements: 16 Pieter Dixon, 17 Duncan Bell, 18 David Barnes, 19 James Scaysbrook, 20 Scott Bemand, 21 Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu, 22 Michael Stephenson.

Worcester: 15 Chris Latham, 14 Chris Pennell, 13 Dale Rasmussen, 12 Sam Tuitupou, 11 Miles Benjamin, 10 Loki Crichton, 9 Ryan Powell, 8 Netani Talei, 7 Tom Wood, 6 Kai Horstmann, 5 Craig Gillies, 4 Greg Rawlinson (c), 3 Tevita Taumoepeau, 2 Aleki Lutui, 1 Matt Mullan.

Replacements: 16 Chris Horsman, 17 Chris Fortey, 18 Graham Kitchener, 19 Tom Wood, 20 Ben Jones, 21 Joe Carlisle, 22 Charlie Fellows.

Date: Saturday 27 September, 2008

Kick-off: 14:15 (13:15 GMT)

Venue: Recreation Ground

Referee: Rob Debney