POWERGEN CUP Worcester: (0) 7: Try: Tuamoheloa Con: Drahm Northampton: (12) 22: Tries: Cohen 2, Harding Cons: Reihana 2 Pen: Reihana Att: 7,561

The big wing crossed twice to help the Saints to a 12-0 interval lead, Bruce Reihana notching one conversion.

Reihana added a penalty in the second half before fellow New Zealander Sam Harding, on his debut, scored a try.

Replacement Sione Tuamoheloa was driven over for a late try but it was little consolation for the Warriors.

World Cup winner Cohen was left out of England's 30-man squad earlier this week for the forthcoming autumn Tests.

I've still got the appetite for the international game Ben Cohen

But the 27-year-old showed his old power and confidence with the ball in hand to help kick-start Saints' season.

It took them just eight minutes to unlock Worcester's defence, Carlos Spencer darting through in midfield before delivering a perfect floated pass to the unmarked Cohen.

A counter-attack from a lineout led to Cohen's second score in the 26th minute, Sean Lamont and Reihana combining before the wing muscled past the remaining cover.

Reihana missed with penalty attempts either side of half-time but stroked over his next effort after 49 minutes.

We were outplayed from one to 15 Worcester coach Anthony Eddy

Saints director of rugby Budge Pountney took the chance to send on Harding, newly arrived from Canterbury.

The flanker promptly celebrated with a try within a minute of coming on, diving over after John Clarke's 30m break.

Worcester finally got into the game with a series of drives deep into Northampton territory for Tuamoheloa to cross, Shane Drahm converting.

But they suffered a major blow when hooker Andre van Niekirk was carried off with a dislocated left shoulder.

Cohen, though, was in rude health and only a desperate double tackle denied him a hat-trick try late on.