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Page last updated at 09:35 GMT, Thursday, 15 January 2009

Warriors same again for Bucuresti

Mike Ruddock
Mike Ruddock is looking for a bonus points victory against the Oaks

Worcester Warriors will field their strongest possible team for the European Challenge Cup tie against Bucuresti Oaks on Saturday (1500 GMT).

Director of rugby Mike Ruddock says he will field the team that would have started in both the postponed games against Sale and Harlequins.

"It's only fair the guys named for the last two weeks are given the jersey," he told BBC Hereford and Worcester.

"We'll then make some adjustments for the following game against Petrarca."

In the past, Warriors have rested some of their stars for the competition. But, having not had a game since 27 December, Ruddock wants his top players to get some action.

"In normal circumstances, I would have made a few changes to rest some of the guys," he said. "But that isn't the case because of the weather.

"I need to keep them match fit to make sure they don't fall off the pace before the rearranged Sale game on January 31."

Ruddock also revealed that the next two games, against Bucuresti and Petrarca Padova, could be the last for on-loan fly half Eoghan Hickey.

Ruddock has spoken to his opposite number Toby Booth at London Irish.

Eoghan Hickey
On-loan Eoghan Hickey looks set for two more weeks at Sixways
And he will probably keep Hickey at Sixways for those two games, although it appears that Loki Crighton could be back for the Padova game.

Warriors prop Matt Mullan will be available for the game against Sale Sharks on 31 January despite being called into the England Saxons squad.

Ruddock says they had asked for his release for the Saxons game against Portugal at the end of January, but would release him to the national squad the following week.

Warriors: Latham; Gear, Luscombe, Rasmussen, Pennell; Hickey, R Powell; Mullan, Fortey, Taumoepeau, Rawlinson, Gillies, Talei, Sanderson, Horstmann.

Replacements: Horsman, Lutui, Bowley, Cox, M Powell, Carlisle, A Grove.

There will be full commentary on Worcester v Bucuresti on BBC Hereford and Worcester on 104 fm and at bbc.co.uk/herefordandworcester

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see also
Mullan surprised at Saxons call
14 Jan 09 |  Worcester
Worcester will respect Romanians
14 Jan 09 |  Worcester


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