Tuitupou named for Euro challenge
Fri, 23 May 2008 18:28
Worcester Warriors Director of Rugby Mike Ruddock has made three changes to his starting line-up from the Final Guinness Premiership match as his team prepares to face Bath in the European Challenge Cup Final at Kingsholm on Sunday.
Prop Tevita Taumoepeau, back row forward Drew Hickey and New Zealand international centre Sam Tuitupou all return.
The trio of Hickey, Shane Drahm and Thinus Delport are all named in the side before they depart for Japan at the end of the season, while Sixways legend Tony Windo will start in the front row for the final time in his glittering career.
Scrumhalf Ryan Powell returns to the bench and is joined by Wales international Chris Horsman and Fijian ace Netani Talei.
"The boys are all very excited and we are looking forward to playing in a cup Final," said Ruddock.
"We've had a break after not having a game last weekend and so the players are fully charged and determined to put on a good show.
"There has been a different mindset this week with us being in the Final, it has lifted the players and they know this is a wonderful opportunity for them. If we can win it will be a great story with the club coming through the different leagues and then playing in the Heineken Cup.
"Bath have played some great rugby all season, they have been the form team for a lot of the campaign so we know the task we are facing. We have looked at them closely and we are aiming for our defence to be up to the mark. We are ready to face them."
Worcester Warriors: 15 Thinus Delport, 14 Marcel Garvey, 13 Dale Rasmussen, 12 Sam Tuitupou, 11 Miles Benjamin, 10 Shane Drahm, 9 Matt Powell, 8 Kai Horstmann, 7 Pat Sanderson (captain), 6 Drew Hickey, 5 Craig Gillies, 4 Greg Rawlinson, 3 Tevita Taumoepeau, 2 Aleki Lutui, 1 Tony Windo.
Replacements: 16 Chris Horsman, 17 Matt Mullan, 18 Will Bowley, 19 Netani Talei, 20 Ryan Powell, 21 Joe
Carlisle, 22 Rico Gear.
Date: Sunday, May 25
Venue: Kingsholm, Gloucester
Kick-off: 12.00 (11.00 GMT)
Referee: Christophe Berdos (France)
Touch judges: Jérôme Garces (France), Patrick Bellet (France)
TMO: Brian Abrahams (England)
