Rico Gears up for Petrarca
Fri, 10 Oct 2008 15:56
Warriors coach Mike Ruddock has confirmed that former All Black Rico Gear will make his comeback from injury, when Worcester travel to face Petrarca Rugby in their European Challenge Cup opener on Saturday.
Gear has been ruled out of action with an Achilles injury since the opening Premiership clash with Northampton Saints in early September but will return on the wing for the trip to Italy in Pool Three.
Last year's runners-up in the competition also welcome back Matt Powell at scrumhalf as the club aim to make a winning start in the tournament this season.
Director of Rugby Ruddock, who also brings Tevita Taumoepeau in at prop and Tom Wood into the back row, has warned his side not to underestimate their Italian hosts.
"I feel Italian rugby is improving and there are a lot of good coaches out there, we won't underestimate Petrarca Rugby, it will be tough," he said.
"Rugby in Italy is on the up and this will be like a cup final for them as we are their first opponents. They will be fired up and it will be like when we went to Bucuresti last season, they will be really up for a game and wanting to show how good they are and how far they have progressed as a nation."
Warriors will be without Pat Sanderson (leg), Hal Luscombe (knee), Marcel Garvey (hip), Will Bowley (thumb), Kai Horstmann (knee), Miles Benjamin (virus), Chris Pennell (groin) and the suspended Chris Horsman.
Dale Rasmussen (knee) also misses the match but Ruddock is full of praise for Alex Grove who will take his spot at outside centre.
"The emergence of young Alex Grove has been very pleasing," he added.
"I felt he was excellent against London Irish, for a young man he showed a lot of physicality, skills and his composure was very good."
Worcester: 15 Chris Latham (captain), 14 Rico Gear, 13 Alex Grove, 12 Sam Tuitupou, 11 Charlie Fellows, 10 Matthew Jones, 9 Matt Powell, 8
Netani Talei, 7 Tom Wood, 6 Kai Horstmann, 5 Craig Gillies, 4 Kitch Kitchener, 3 Tevita Taumoepeau, 2 Chris Fortey, 1 Darren Morris,
Replacements: 16 Callum Black, 17 Aleki Lutui, 18 Shaun Ruwers, 19 Greg Rawlinson, 20 Matt Cox, 21 Ryan Powell, 22 Loki Crichton.
Date: Saturday, October 11
Venue: Stadio Plebiscito
Kick-off: 15.00 (13.00 GMT)
Referee: David Rosich (France)
wrfc.co.uk
