Worcester v Bath (Sat)

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<div align="center"> Worcester v Bath (Sat)
</div> GUINNESS PREMIERSHIP

Venue: Sixways Date: Sat 19 April Kick-off: 1500 BST
BBC coverage: Live commentary on BBC Radio Bristol 1548 AM

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Worcester have recalled their stars, knowing that victory will secure a place in the top flight for next year.

Skipper Pat Sanderson and lock Greg Rawlinson return. Sam Tuitupou is back in the centre but Dale Rasmussen misses out with concussion.

Bath make four changes to the starting line-up that beat Leicester on Tuesday.

Tom Cheeseman and Olly Barkley come in to form the centre partnership. Matt Stevens moves to loose-head prop with Duncan Bell coming in at tight-head.

Worcester: Delport; Garvey, Gear, Tuitupou, Benjamin; Drahm, Powell; Windo, Lutui, Taumoepeau, Rawlinson, Gillies, Hickey, Sanderson (capt), Horstmann.
Replacements: Ruwers, Mullan, Bowley, Wood, Carlisle, Arr, Pennell.

Bath: Maddock; Higgins, Cheeseman, Barkley, Banahan; James, Claasens; Stevens, Mears, Bell, Borthwick (capt), Grewcock, Faamatuainu, Lipman, Browne.
Replacements: Dixon, Barnes, Short, Goodman, Baxter, Berne, Stephenson.

Bath head coach Steve Meehan told BBC Radio Bristol:
"They've got tremendous supporters, and it's a trip that's not that far away from Bath.

"So I'm hopeful that a lot of our supporters will make the trip and we'll hear their voice, and with a bit of luck the guys will respond well to that.

"If we can convert a little bit more of our opportunities than we did on Tuesday night [against Leicester] then hopefully we can come away with the win."

From BBC Sport

 

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Worcester 20-23 Bath

Worcester (8) 20
Tries: Benjamin 2, Drahm Cons: Drahm Pens: Drahm

Bath (13) 23
Tries: Cheeseman 3 Cons: Barkley Pens: Barkley 2

Bath took another stride towards the Premiership play-offs after they edged a thrilling encounter at Sixways.
Centre Tom Cheeseman scored three tries, allowing Bath to stay afloat despite two high-class scores from Worcester wing Miles Benjamin, 19.
Worcester, who lost injured captain Pat Sanderson in the first half, laid siege to Bath's line during injury time.
But heroic Bath defence - with lock Danny Grewcock to the fore - confined the Warriors to a losing bonus point.

Worcester boss Mike Ruddock:
"We made crucial errors far too often, and our skills weren't as good as Bath's over the 80 minutes.
"We lost the game, and that hurts. We felt we should have won after getting 20-16 ahead, and we have got to learn to shut the gate and stop teams coming back at us.
"Bath are a quality team and I like the way they play with their width and tempo."

Ruddock on 19-year-old Miles Benjamin:
"We have looked to develop young guys like him at the club. He looks a real candidate for England honours in the future."

Bath boss Steve Meehan:
"Worcester are a good side, so this was always going to be a difficult game.
"We are delighted with the win - it is a massive result for us and has provided good momentum for our next Premiership match against Saracens.
"The defensive effort was fantastic. Those last few minutes were all about how big the players' hearts were, and it took a huge disciplined effort."

Worcester: Delport; Garvey, Gear, Tuitupou, Benjamin; Drahm, Powell; Windo, Lutui, Taumoepeau, Rawlinson, Gillies, Hickey, Sanderson (capt), Horstmann.
Replacements: Ruwers, Mullan, Bowley, Wood, Carlisle, Arr, Pennell.

Bath: Maddock; Higgins, Cheeseman, Barkley, Banahan; James, Claasens; Stevens, Mears, Bell, Borthwick (capt), Grewcock, Faamatuainu, Lipman, Browne.
Replacements: Dixon, Barnes, Short, Goodman, Baxter, Berne, Stephenson.

From BBC Sport