Worcester Warriors Matchday Programme | Issue 7 | Warriors vs Northampton Saints

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CONTENTS 10

Owners & Executive Board Jason Whittingham, Colin Goldring Managing Director Peter Kelly Finance Director Lisa Wicks Director of Rugby Alan Solomons Head Coach Jonathan Thomas Coaching Staff Mark Jones Matt Sherratt, Mark Irish Academy Manager Mike Hall Academy Staff Dan Lyne, Mike Hill, Ryan Watkins, Jon Perks, Amy Wiggly, Jonny Goodridge Club Doctor Nick Tait Medical Staff Dan Walton, James Scriven, Lucie Beech, Jenny Carter, Karen Taylor, Gareth O’Neill, Jacob Mitchell, Jen Carter and Sam Tingman Head of Performance Johan Pretorius Strength & Conditioning Staff David Fabricius, Jack Powley, Sam Julian, Harry Sharman, Josie Symonds Analysts Tom Tench, Blair Kingsland, Harry Strudwick Performance Nutritionist Jordan Higgins, Will Payne Players’ Chef Jerry Quinn, Charlotte Goode Rugby Operations Administrator Alex Cox Kit Manager Chris Derrick Education Officer Lynette Cutting General Operations Manager Beth Reader Head of Stadium Operations Gené Willis Commercial Director Adam Palfrey Head of Commercial Gill Wood Head of Community Foundation Carol Hart Head of Community Rugby Steve Joslin Communications Manager Paul Bolton Head of Events Laura Napper Head of F&B Chris Jukes Head of HR Rebecca Barnett MATCHDAY PROGRAMME Editors Stewart McCullough, Paul Bolton Contributors Luke Summers, Nick Baker Photography Getty Images, JMP Design by Rebecca Linney Publisher Curtis Sport

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5 CHALK TALK 7 COLIN GOLDRING AND JASON WHITTINGHAM 10 WORDS WITH A WARRIOR 16 INTRODUCING NORTHAMPTON SAINTS 20 WARRIORS WOMEN NEWS 24 WARRIORS NEWS 27 THE VOICE OF SIXWAYS 29 SUPPORTERS CLUB 40 COMMERCIAL

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CHALK TALK Jonathan Thomas

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Good afternoon and a very warm Sixways welcome to Chris Boyd, the players and staff of Northampton Saints.

Today’s match is the last in a run of nine straight Gallagher Premiership matches which we always knew would test us both physically and emotionally.

I am proud of the commitment and effort that the players have put in on the pitch and in training during the week. The intensity of our training has gone to another level in recent weeks so that we train above game pace to improve our conditioning, our fine motor skills and decisionmaking when fatigued.

We are getting better in those areas of our game, but there is still work to do. Of course, we are disappointed that all our hard work during the week is not reflected in our results at the weekend.

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It has been challenging because a number of key players have been unavailable or injured, but a huge plus has been the number of players we have given opportunities to.

We understand that our supporters are frustrated and disappointed that we are on a losing run, but noone is more disappointed than the players and coaching team. We all want to win every game we play and to reward you for your fantastic support after what has been a challenging year due to COVID-19.

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The passion of Warriors’ supporters is one of the reasons why I came back to the club last year. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to experience a full house at Sixways since I returned, but I know from the messages and comments on social media that the passion for the club remains. That came across very clearly during the successful Facebook Live session I did the day before we went to Bath last week.

I enjoyed ‘chatting’ with you and appreciate how much you care about the club and how you want us to succeed. Thank you to all who submitted some really interesting questions.

In an ideal world we would have held a face-to-face Q&A session for supporters at the stadium, but COVID has meant that we have all had to adapt to communicating via Zoom or Face Time over the past year. Hopefully not for too much longer.

The overwhelming majority of comments that I see from supporters on social media are constructive and encouraging. A very small minority, however, are unrelentingly negative and destructive in their impact. I will repeat that the players and coaches share your frustration that we have not been winning matches, but that is not down to a lack of effort in training or on matchdays.

We own our performances – individually and collectively – and are honest in our post-match reviews. Abusive comments on social media are of no help or interest to us at all and will not be tolerated by our players and staff.

Our recruitment and retention for next season has continued since our last home match against Bristol.

We have re-signed four more of our young homegrown players – Joe Morris, Kai Owen, James Scott and Will Butler – and secured the services of Joe Batley on a two-year extension.

We believe all those players have huge potential which we want to help them to fulfil here at Warriors.

What they all need is regular game time. With no Premiership Rugby Cup or Shield this season, the challenge is to find opportunities for our young players. James is just completing a

six-week loan spell with Glasgow Warriors, which has been invaluable experience. Kai had a short stint on loan at Coventry and Joe Morris and Will started at Bath last week.

Bats has shown the benefit of starting regularly over the past month and he has shown his versatility by playing at six, eight and five over the last three matches. I know Bats well from coaching him at Bristol and he has all the attributes to become a big player for this club as well as a big character off the pitch.

We have also signed Kyle Hatherell, one of the standout players in the Greene King IPA Championship, from Jersey Reds. Kyle, who can play at number eight or lock, will join us next week and we thank Harvey Biljon and Jersey for agreeing to release him.

The Championship is a competition that we keep a close eye on because there are some real hidden gems playing in a competition that is very physical and competitive.

Rugby players develop in different ways and sometimes have to take a circuitous route to reach the top level.

Kyle is a player that has taken such a route – college rugby in South Africa, a spell with Marr in Scotland and three years with Jersey – but we believe that he is an exciting prospect and someone who will become a crowd favourite at Sixways.

We look forward to Kyle becoming a Warrior and hope it will not be long before you get the chance to see him in action.

Enjoy the game and thank you for your support.

JT 5 WARRIORS.CO.UK

THE BOARDROOM WITH COLIN GOLDRING & JASON WHIT TINGHAM

Good afternoon and a warm welcome to the players, staff and directors of Northampton Saints.

No-one could have predicted the challenges and difficulties the world would face when Northampton last visited Sixways on Friday March 6 2020.

At that stage we were only just becoming aware of the potential health risks that COVID-19 posed, but we could not have envisaged that match being our last for more than a year played under normal circumstances.

Since then, we have all had to adapt to a world in which lockdowns, facemasks, social distancing, hand sanitiser, Zoom calls and little social interaction have become the new ‘norm.’

Professional sport has continued, but the overwhelming majority of matches have been played behind closed doors and, as we all know, playing rugby in empty grounds is not something that we ever want to get used to.

But we have kept the show on the road and, with lockdown regulations easing from Monday and the vaccination programme taking effect, we can, at last, look forward with some optimism.

We hope that, if everyone heeds the advice and behaves themselves, that we might be allowed to have crowds back before the end of the season.

It is likely that numbers will again be restricted but, as we saw with the matches against Bath and Ospreys in December, just having spectators WARRIORS.CO.UK 6

back in the stadium on matchdays makes a massive difference.

Our experience in successfully staging those two matches means that we are ready, willing and able to welcome back crowds as soon as we are permitted.

In order to ensure that spectators and visitors can return to the stadium, a lot of hard work and preparation has been put in by our staff during lockdown.

To have returned no positive tests – we had two false positives in the first round of testing in July – from the thousands that the players, coaches and backroom staff have taken is testament to the measures and protocols that Gené Willis, our COVID Manager, and Nick Tait, our COVID Doctor, have put in place.

Of course, those measures cannot be effective unless everyone follows them and so we must say thank you to our staff who have adapted their work patterns and behaviour to keep everyone safe and healthy.

We are also grateful to BT Sport for covering every Gallagher Premiership match live during lockdown and utilising their red button service to ensure that our supporters have been able to follow the team since rugby resumed last August.

We would have liked to have won more matches to help lift your mood, but we thank you for sticking with us through thick and thin over the last 12 months. We are confident that the short-term pain of this season will lead to long term gain next season and in years to come.

Last week at Bath we fielded an all English-qualified starting XV, 11 of whom who had come through the Three Pears Academy. We are committed to developing and retaining our homegrown talent and we will continue to do so.

Whilst homegrown is key to the future, we must not play down the contribution of the players we bring in and the value they can add to the squad with their experience and leadership skills.

Yes, we were disappointed by the result at Bath and the first half performance in particular. However, we were also greatly encouraged by the resilience and commitment shown in the second half to come away with a try bonus point.

It was good to see the coaching team sticking with Fin Smith, who was the youngest-ever player to start for the club in a Premiership match.

It would have been very easy to take Fin off early in the second half but, by keeping him on, it allowed him to grow in confidence and to show some glimpses of his talent. It’s very easy to forget that Fin has gone from under-18s to first team rugby without playing for the Cavaliers due to no Premiership Rugby Shield over the past 12 months.

We are going to see a lot more of Fin in the years to come and we know that you are going to enjoy watching his development.

Thank you again for supporting the club during what has been a year that we will remember for all the wrong reasons.

Colin and Jason 7 WARRIORS.CO.UK

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WORDS WITH A WARRIOR You signed a two-year contract extension this week. Was that an easy decision?

Yes. The reason I came here was because of Jonathan Thomas and Mark Irish, who I worked closely with at Bristol.

I’ve got a really good relationship with them and they have grown massively. Matt Sherratt has improved my attacking game as well, so it seems like a really good fit for me personally and I was keen to keep that going.

I have enjoyed getting to know the boys and becoming part of the team. I know we have a big future as long as we keep improving and working as hard as we are. I’m sure the results will start turning.

How frustrating was it for you to have to wait for your Warriors debut until the final match of last season?

Very frustrating. It’s typical isn’t it that after a long lockdown you can’t wait to get playing rugby again and the first opportunity you get you get a little injury.

In my case it was my toe. Telling my family and friends that I wouldn’t be playing for a number of weeks because I had injured my toe meant some tough conversations.

But it was in an awkward place. You couldn’t write it, but I was just unlucky.

Happily, I am back playing again, playing in different positions, getting opportunities and I am really happy. Just having that regular game time has been important for me.

You had a rather more serious setback early in your career at Bristol can you tell us about that?

I had just moved to Bristol - I was 21 and I got diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma just after we had played Ealing, which was the biggest game of the season.

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Have you now been given the all-clear?

I finished my six-month check-ups with the last one I had and now I am on yearly check-ups. My next one is in July.

I felt strong and I felt good, but I just had a lump that appeared in my neck. So, I went to the club doctor and he referred me to the hospital.

They did a biopsy and it came back as Hodgkin lymphoma.

It was tough to take first of all. I sat there with the club doctor, knowing I then had to make a phone call to my mum and dad to tell them I had got cancer when normally I called them if I was playing at the weekend.

That was a really strange and surreal moment. I had a little time to digest it myself before telling my parents, but it came as a shock to them.

What treatment did you have?

Once the chemo and radiotherapy started, my health and my fitness started to deteriorate. I lost my hair and got really fatigued.

I was sick a lot, the first lot of chemo really wiped me out. I was throwing up a lot, which wasn’t nice. I ate a lot of watermelon at that time, and I haven’t touched that much since because I have seen far too much of it come out of me.

Luckily, the chemotherapy was effective and then I had a month of radiotherapy just to wipe it out. That all lasted about six months and then I managed to get a bit of a pre-season in and back into the fold at Bristol.

It was a big hurdle, but I feel like I have come out of the other side. I played a couple of games for them in the Premiership and then went on loan to Leicester.

Now I feel that I am back on track. I know I am 24, but in rugby terms I am probably younger than that. I missed a year when I was at Gloucester because of a knee injury and then a year because of cancer.

I feel very lucky to be still doing the job that I love and that I have always wanted to do. Now I want to kick on and fulfil any potential I have and the potential that this club has.

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It’s a pretty standard procedure. They will give me a once-over, take my bloods and, hopefully, send me on my way.

I’m much more aware now about anything that pops up in my body. I would say to anyone that if anything doesn’t look right or seem right, get it checked straight away.

I was lucky that, at Bristol, like any professional sports club, we had a doctor on site. If I had not been a professional sportsman, I probably would have waited a bit longer and then the amount of chemo I needed would have been greater and the time it took to recover would have been greater.

Was it a shock to be diagnosed so young?

I was 21, feeling the fittest I have felt in my life. You hear a lot about cancer and both my grandads had cancer.

The perception is it’s more the older generation who get cancer, but the disease doesn’t discriminate. It’s very cruel and it will pick on whoever it can.

So, if something doesn’t look right or seem right, it’s important that you get it checked. The best outcome is that you have over-reacted or it’s something less serious. But the earlier cancer is diagnosed, the better the chances are of treating it.

So, I have got a strategy and a method but I’m not too sure many people would agree with it.

Have you had chance to explore Worcester?

It’s weird. I’ve been here almost a year, but I haven’t really experienced Worcester because of the lockdowns.

I’m really looking forward to seeing what the city has to offer once lockdown starts to ease.

I managed to get to a few nice coffee shops when we could, and it will be nice when they open up again. Maybe not Guilt Trip though, because I don’t want to give Callum Black too much money.

It’s Northampton Saints today. What threats are they likely to bring?

They predominantly like to attack. They are very attack focused and they have an exciting back three.

Their mauling game and their lineout work is very good. As long as we front up early doors and get some big hits in, it could force them to play a tighter game than they have been used to and that brings us into life.

The last few weeks, prior to Bath, we have been very tight in defence and our counterattack speaks for itself.

You’ve now been with Warriors for almost nine months, have you settled into the area?

Yes, I share a house with Billy Searle who I know well from our time together at Bristol. It’s Billy’s house so he’s my landlord. He’s very particular and, like any ten, he calls the shots.

He’s very clean, very OCD and he can cook quite nicely. He also enjoys gaming, so every now and then he has his own time on the TV gaming with his friends back home or other boys at the club. I’m not much of a gamer so I just chill.

Are you clean and tidy?

I’m clean everywhere except in my room. Hopefully, my mum won’t read this!

I have special layers on the floor for my clothes.

That’s my tidying. Once a pile gets too big, then it goes in the wash.

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JOE BATLEY

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INTRODUCING NORTHAMPTON

Northampton Saints arrive at Sixways looking to close the gap on the top four with a victory over Warriors today.

Closing in on victory, Saints were made to rue a missed penalty from replacement fly-half Harry Mallinder as Bristol’s class came to the fore in the dying embers of the contest to record a win that extended their lead at the summit of the table.

Saints currently occupy fifth spot, six points behind a rejuvenated Sale outfit who have gone from strengthto-strength under new boss Alex Sanderson.

Northampton switched their attention to the Champions Cup, with Bordeaux-Begles jetting over to England a week later for a titan clash which saw fans return to the stadium for the first time since lockdown.

Boyd’s men were 12-9 in front with six minutes left on the clock, but Santiago Cordero reacted quickest to Matthieu Jailbert’s penalty rebounding off the posts to ensure an eleventh straight defeat for the hosts.

The following week, Marcus Smith orchestrated Harlequins’ first win at Franklin’s Gardens since December 2012 as Saints’ disastrous home form continued albeit they crossed for four tries to salvage a bonus-point.

“We didn’t manage to hold them out and couldn’t control the kick-off, and they scored,” said Boyd.

“The last two minutes certainly cost us after we clawed our way back into the game.”

It was Saints’ eighth consecutive home loss, extending their worst run of the professional era, with the visitors dominating the contest from start to finish.

Bristol looked to be in control from the off when Purdy opened the scoring and then Siva Naulago bundled over from close range, but Northampton hit back through Nick Isiekwe before the break to set things up nicely going into the second half.

It was a second successive gutpunch defeat for Northampton, who came within a minute of ending their losing streak.

After losing at European giants Leinster 35-19 on December 19, Saints returned to domestic action with a bang – Dan Biggar helping his side secure their first win of 2020 against today’s opponents Worcester Warriors.

With Quins leading by just 23-17 at the interval, Smith’s pinpoint kicking helped grow the advantage into an insurmountable one. The fly-half was in supreme form, scoring his side’s final try of the afternoon to cap off a fine display for then Quins Head of Rugby Paul Gustard.

George Furbank chased down Tommy Freeman’s neat kick to touch down in the corner on 58 minutes to edge his side in front, with Saints in the ascendancy at 21-14 thanks to the boot of James Grayson who knocked over three penalties.

The Wales stand-off, fit again, scored 12 points by virtue of a try, two conversions and a penalty to inspire a much-needed win for the 2014 champions.

Northampton were handed the win just before the

It was heartbreak for Saints on the opening weekend of December when they were denied a famous victory at Ashton Gate – Sam Bedlow’s last

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“We found a way to win,” said Bristol Director of Rugby Pat Lam after the game, which would be a sign of things to come in the weeks that followed for the West Countrymen.

Premiership dark horses Sale inflicted Northampton’s first defeat of the season at the AJ Bell Stadium on the opening weekend, the Greater Manchester side running in four tries courtesy of Akker van der Merwe, Dan du Preez, Simon Hammersley and AJ MacGinty.

Luke Morahan and Andy Uren spoiled the party, running in two tries in a minute to snatch a bonus-point triumph, leaving Saints chief Boyd agonising over what could have been.

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Ehren Painter was penalised for a deliberate knock-on, allowing Bedlow to smash home the penalty to cap off a superb comeback after Saints had led 14-5 at half-time.

Saints had an indifferent start to the campaign, losing their opening five games in all competitions prior to stopping the rot with victory over Warriors at Franklin’s Gardens on Boxing Day.

It could have been much tighter in the upper echelons of the Gallagher Premiership table had Saints not conceded two late tries at home to Bristol last weekend, which would have seen Chris Boyd’s men secure a well-earned win.

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minute penalty snatching the four points for Oat Lam’s side.

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turn of the new year, London Irish returning positive COVID-19 tests to put paid to the fixture.

Lee Blackett’s side 22-17 at Ricoh Arena in a thrilling encounter in the Midlands.

Unfortunately, the East Midlands derby against Leicester Tigers fell victim to Covid – this time Saints recording a number of positive tests.

Saints were awarded two points for the cancellation and were back in action on January 30 when three tries in 10 second half minutes saw them beat Gloucester 31-26 and put more pressure on the Cherry and Whites.

Saints had been in the ascendancy at 22-0 going into the break, but Wasps gave the visitors a real fright in the second half as they registered 17 unanswered points to end the game 22-17 to Boyd’s men. Adendorff, Sam Matavesi and Naiyaravoro were all on the score sheet for Saints, with Grayson’s boot making the difference.

Taqele Naiyaravoro, Rory Hutchinson and a brace of tries from Shaun Adendorff saw Saints take control and leave Kingsholm with maximum points.

Saints racked up some more points on Valentine’s Day as the powers that be awarded them the win after their game at home to Newcastle was called off due to coronavirus in the Newcastle Falcons camp.

Northampton claimed arguably their win of the season at Wasps in early February, although their scalp at Exeter the following month would run it close. Saints edged out

Not affected by the lack of game time under their belts, Saints went to Exeter and pulled off a dramatic 1312 win albeit in controversial fashion.

Sam Skinner had scored for Chiefs

with a minute left on the clock, with Sam Simmonds’ conversion attempt to win the game not even getting off the ground.

Simmonds was ruled to have started his run-up, allowing Saints to sprint from their line and kick the ball from the tee into touch.

The competitive nature of the Premiership continued, with Bath edging out Saints 23-22 at the Garden’s and on March 7 Quins held off a Northampton second half fight-back to win 37-19.

Before last week’s narrow defeat to Bristol, Saints pipped Sale to the winning post with a 17-14 win to revive their hopes of pushing into the top four.

A slow start to the campaign has morphed into a season of hope for Saints, who have their sights set on qualifying for the Champions Cup.

THREE TO WATCH

DAN BIGGAR

JAMES GRAYSON

Wales international Dan Biggar made the switch to Northampton Saints from his hometown club Ospreys at the start of the 2018/19 season.

Signing his first senior contract at Saints ahead of the 2019/20 season, James Grayson made his Saints debut in his side’s 2017/18 season opener. The son of Saints legend Paul, the fly-half has enjoyed significant game time under Director of Rugby Chris Boyd as he featured 19 times during the 2019/20 campaign.

The fly-half made an instant impact at the Gardens, racking up 191 points in 23 appearances having seen his new club lift the Premiership Rugby Cup and reach the knock-out stages of the Premiership for the first time in four years.

COURTNEY LAWES Courtney Lawes needs no introduction - the Northampton icon having been a mainstay of England’s pack as well as winning major trophies both domestically and on the continent with his club.

Featuring in Saints’ 2011 Champions Cup final, Lawes helped Saints win their first ever Premiership title and a second Challenge Cup trophy in 2014.

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WOMEN’S NEWS

WARRIORS WOMEN VS BRISTOL BEARS WOMEN STREAMED LIVE TOMORROW This Sunday’s Allianz Premier 15s fixture between Warriors Women and Bristol Bears Women will be streamed live from Sixways on our YouTube and Facebook channels (kick-off 2pm, live coverage from 1.45pm).

they get to watch the women’s team play.

“It is also great for the players that they will have their family and friends cheering them on from home.”

Jo Yapp’s side came away from GloucesterHartpury with two bonus points on Saturday, moving above Bristol in the table to set things up nicely ahead of this weekend’s showdown.

AN EVENING OF QUEEN – FRIDAY JULY 2, 2021 After over a year of lockdown restrictions, The Show Must Go On. Following the roaring success of our sell out ‘An Evening of Queen’ event in 2019, we’re pleased to announce that the staged production will return to Sixways this summer, with a brand-new performance, ‘I Want to Break Free’.

A dazzling collection of performers from London’s West End, including former stars from the smash hit musical ‘We Will Rock You’, come together to present an incredible tribute to one of the world’s great rock bands. Featuring dozens of hits from an astonishing back catalogue, this is a unique and stunning concert evening no Queen fan should miss!

Warriors and England international Laura Keates will be joining Johnnie Hammond in the commentary box for what promises to be a thrilling encounter as the campaign intensifies.

Silver – £29 Gold – £33 Silver Hospitality – £55 Includes a two-course pre-show meal and a reserved seat on the Hospitality Balcony Gold Hospitality – £59 Includes a two-course pre-show meal and a gold seat in the East Stand Parking £10

You will be treated to pre-match interviews with both coaches as well as in depth analysis prior to kick-off and during the half-time break.

Book now by calling 01905 459309 or visit warriors.co.uk/tickets

“We are so pleased that we can live stream this game,” said Warriors Women Director of Rugby Jo Yapp.

“We are fortunate to have some really loyal supporters at the club, so it is important for us that

INTERNATIONAL CALL-UPS FOR WARRIORS WOMEN QUARTET Warriors Women trio Lydia Thompson, Alex Matthews and Flo Long have been named in England’s 38-player squad for the 2021 Women’s Six Nations, while in-form prop Caryl Thomas has been called-up to the Warren Abrahams’ Wales squad.

The Red Roses will assemble in Doncaster on Monday ahead of their opening Pool A game against Scotland at Castle Park on Saturday April

3 (kick-off 3pm, live on BBC iPlayer).

Meanwhile, Thomas will join up with her international teammates for the trip to Vannes where they will face France on Saturday April 3 (kick-off 8pm BST) as preparations gather pace for the restructured Women’s Six Nations.

FRIDAY 2 JULY 2021

Everyone at Sixways wishes them all the very best!

GATES 5:30PM | SHOW STARTS 7:30PM

TICKETS FROM £29 PRE-BOOKED PARKING £10 BOOK NOW 01905 459309 WARRIORS.CO.UK/TICKETS www.aneveningofqueen.com

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WARRIORS NEWS JOE BATLEY PENS CONTRACT EXTENSION The consistency and versatility of Joe Batley has been rewarded with a two-year contract extension from Warriors.

Batley, 24, arrived at Sixways from Bristol Bears last summer and having recovered from early injury setbacks in his Warriors career, he made his debut as a replacement in the final match of last season against Saracens.

Batley has made ten appearances this season – seven as a starter – at blindside flanker, number eight or lock and scored his first try for the club against Bath Rugby at The Rec on Saturday.

Having signed on an initial one-year contract, Batley is now committed to Warriors to the end of the 2022/23 season.

“I am delighted that Bats has re-signed. I worked closely with him before at Bristol, so I know him pretty well,” said Warriors Head Coach Jonathan Thomas.

“He’s gone through some adversity in his life, but he has always had huge potential and it has been about him having an opportunity to fulfil that potential.

“He came here on a one-year deal and he had a couple injuries early on, but recently he has been playing every week and he has shown what a quality player he is.

“Most importantly his versatility has been invaluable to the team. In the last three weeks he has played six, eight and five.

love him. He’s great for team culture, he drives standards, and he leads the lineout.

“So, it’s the man off the field as well as the man on the field. This can be a serious business and Bats is an energiser, a ball of fun if you like, which is what you need.”

The adversity that Thomas refers to is Hodgkin lymphoma, which was diagnosed in March 2018 and which Batley successfully overcame to resume his rugby career.

It was a less serious, but frustrating, toe injury that forced Batley to wait for a run of games with Warriors.

“The reason I came here to start with is because of Jonathan Thomas and Mark Irish, who I worked with at Bristol,” Batley said.

“I have got a really good relationship with them and I feel like they have grown my game massively.

Matt Sherratt has also improved my attacking game, so it is a really good fit for me.

“I have enjoyed getting to know the boys, being part of the team and I know that we have a big future if we can keep improving the way we are.

If we can keep doing that then the results will turn.

“It was frustrating for me that, after a massive lockdown, the first opportunity I had to play rugby again, I got a toe injury. It was in an awkward place and I was unlucky but no I am kicking on, playing in different positions and I am really happy here.”

WARRIORS BOLSTER BACK-ROW Warriors have signed Kyle Hatherell, one of the brightest talents in the Greene King IPA Championship, from Jersey Reds.

Hatherell, 25, can play at number eight or lock and will join on April 1 on a contract that will take him to the end of the 2022/23 season.

“Over the years the Championship has been such a good breeding ground for young talent.

Not everyone comes through in the same way.

Some are late developers who come through in an unorthodox way,” said Warriors Head Coach Jonathan Thomas.

“Not everyone comes through an academy. The Championship gives those who have missed out for whatever reason the opportunity to show what they can do and fulfil their dreams.

“The Championship is a league we look closely at because there are a lot of good players in the competition.

“Kyle is someone who really jumped out at us. He’s mid-twenties but he’s still pretty young in how many games of senior rugby he has played.

“When we watched him, he stood out athletically and physically and he was also someone that we felt could come through and become a Premiership player.

“While we talk about the recruitment of players with leadership qualities and retaining our homegrown youngsters, we are still on the lookout for quality talent and Kyle is someone we see as being one of the brightest prospects in the Championship.

“We are delighted to have secured his services. For Kyle to be coming in next month is great for us and it will be good for him to have some exposure with us over the next few months, before going into next season so he can get up to speed with our systems and processes.

“We are very grateful to Jersey for releasing Kyle.

Over the years they have developed a number of players who have become Premiership players and it’s a credit to the job that Harvey Biljon and his coaches are doing over there.”

Hatherell, who was born and raised in South Africa, but who is England qualified, joined Jersey three years ago having played for Marr in the Scottish Premiership. He previously played for Varsity College and Sharks Under-21s in South Africa.

“After meeting with Alan Solomons and Jonathan Thomas I was very much sold on and excited about their vision for Worcester Warriors over the next five years,” Hatherell said.

“Their ambitions are very much similar to my own and I was excited hearing about the young talent coming through, the alignment amongst all the staff and the top signings that are being made.

“I felt that their knowledge of me as a player and what my good attributes and key work-ons were, was very insightful and also how they thought I could improve in the environment.

“I would like to thank Jersey for all their help over the last few seasons in developing me as a player and also the hard work both Harvey Biljon and Alan Solomons have put in to make this move possible.”

“Bats is a big man, he’s athletic, he’s got good skills and he is very powerful. He also knows that there is a huge amount of growth left in him.

“We were determined to keep Bats because we didn’t want to miss out on the opportunity for him to continue the great work he is doing and to continue his development.

“We really feel that he can become one of the best players in his position. He’s still a young man and he hasn’t played a huge amount of consecutive games, so the challenge for him is to keep growing and improving so that he fulfils his potential.

“Off the field he’s a huge personality. The players

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For the past 30 plus years I have had the good fortune of working for the BBC covering county cricket in the summer months, a job that takes me to many parts for the country, including the county cricket ground at Wantage Road in Northampton.

There are many ways to get to the ground and trust me, I have used most of them. The obvious and quickest one is round the ring road, past the Northampton Old Scouts ground and through Abington Park.

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certain feel about them. Welford Road, Kingsholm, The Stoop and Franklin’s Gardens among them.

We got rained off one day at cricket and my digs were on the outskirts of the town and my journey took me past the Gardens, so I pulled up and, as one of the side doors were open, I wandered in.

There is something eerie about empty sports grounds, and the thing about these old traditional grounds is when you think back to all those who have played there and stood or sat and watched there over so many years.

Why? Well, I’m not sure. It just seems the right thing to do, and if the traffic is slow, there is time for a view of The Tackle statue that stands outside the ground.

The groundsman was hard at work, so I didn’t’ stay long, but I have wandered into a few different sports venues, Berwick Rangers football club in Scotland was one of the most recent, before we went into lockdown.

I have no explanation as to why I do this. I have to say that Saints are not my second favourite team in the Premiership, although they do feature in the top 12, there is no logical reason, except that I like going to the Gardens.

Anyway, moving back to the present day! A mate of mine went on social media recently to say he could not understand why the Gallaher Premiership is not just now a series of friendlies as they have no competitive value.

For me there are a few what I call traditional rugby grounds, where the game has been played for many years and have a

He is a follower of association football and I asked him if he had watched any Premiership rugby in recent weeks to which

he replied, no.

I suggested he did as for me the league has been just as competitive, if not more in recent weeks.

I have to admit, I was one of those who wondered if the ethos of the teams would change with no relegation, but there have been some amazing games in the last few weeks.

Unfortunately, matches are still being played behind closed doors but, thanks to BT Sport, every match is televised and there has been some cracking entertainment to help us through lockdown.

If you don’t have BT Sport, then you can always catch the highlights on Channel Five on Monday evening with David Flatman and Mark Durden-Smith. An excellent show and a good way to catch up on all the weekend’s tries and action.

Hopefully, Monday’s show will include a Warriors win to complete a tough run of fixtures.

Bradders 27 WARRIORS.CO.UK

SUPPORTERS CLUB

In the week leading up to today’s game we held a National Day of Reflection, a day that marked one year since the start of the first COVID-19 lockdown.

A year that has turned our lives upside down, where the new normal is working from the dining table at home and crossing the street to avoid oncoming people, not being able to go to the pub and longing to watch live sport, music and theatre. A year in which people have lost their jobs, their businesses and their lives.

The roll-out out of the vaccine is providing some hope, some confidence and a reason to look forward to the brighter times ahead. A time when we can unite as supporters, get back into Sixways and cheer the boys on.

If things pan out, we could be inside Sixways for the final game of the season - a game against Gloucester that could decide who finishes bottom of the league. Even though the league has been ringfenced, no one wants to finish bottom trust me I have Scottish blood and have had to endure my fair share of Wooden Spoon seasons and the banter that follows!

These are equally challenging times for the squad. JT has stated that the morale in the camp is high, but the long run without a win must be affecting the boys.

WARRIORS.CO.UK 28

So, keeping hold of the likes of Joe Batley, who appears to be a real character on and off the pitch will do wonders for them. Teams need people with natural energy, a zest for life, full of positivity.

Someone who can lift your spirits when you’re tired, battered and bruised by giving you a ‘look’. He has provided a real spark of hope since his arrival, and it’s great to see him rewarded with a contract extension.

Similarly, it was great to see Fin Smith, Joe Morris and Tom Dodd getting game time against Bath last weekend, especially as it has been confirmed that the Premiership Rugby Cup will not take place this season.

The only games available to blood players are the remaining Premiership games although I’m not sure that I would have loaded the starting XV with so many youngsters. A starting XV comprised entirely of English Qualified Players, including 11 products of the Three Pears Academy was a very bold selection.

If you haven’t seen the recording of JT’s Facebook Live Q&A session – do! He answered all the questions put to him honestly and sincerely.

He understands our frustrations, does not make excuses and he needs us to trust him. He’s building

a squad and he’s hinted that more new signings will be announced shortly, with a culture based on Cecil Duckworth’s legacy at the heart of the club. He talks sense and has the experience to back it up.

I’d follow him and I’m optimistic for the future - I have to be. The past year has tested us all mentally and physically. We have become increasingly anxious and frustrated, less tolerant but we have to have something to look forward to.

That doesn’t make me a ‘happy clapper’, a wearer of ‘rose tinted’ glasses or a member of the ‘rainbow coloured unicorn brigade’. It just means that I have different view point, yet still support the same team as you.

Social media abuse has made headlines again, Liam Williams in particular has been the target of a lot of it, and it is something we must not tolerate. Please continue to voice your opinions - it’s healthy and expected but be mindful not to make it personal or direct comments towards any one player.

Be passionate, respectful.

be

vocal,

Come on you Warriors, BOB LOW

29 WARRIORS.CO.UK

be

WARRIORS.CO.UK 30

31 WARRIORS.CO.UK

FIRST TEAM

PLAYERS & COACHING STAFF

2020-21

NIALL ANNETT

CHRIS ASHTON

LUKE BALDWIN

JOE BATLEY

MICHAEL HEANEY

ALEX HEARLE

TED HILL

FRANCOIS HOUGAARD

DOB 07/05/1991 HEIGHT 1.85m WEIGHT 106kg

DOB 29/03/1987 HEIGHT 1.83m WEIGHT 92kg

DOB 15/09/1990 HEIGHT 1.70m WEIGHT 85kg

DOB 27/06/1996 HEIGHT 2.01m WEIGHT 116kg

DOB 05/11/1990 HEIGHT 1.75m WEIGHT 80kg

DOB 08/11/1998 HEIGHT 1.83m WEIGHT 94kg

DOB 26/03/1999 HEIGHT 1.96m WEIGHT 110kg

DOB 06/04/1988 HEIGHT 1.80m WEIGHT 90kg

HOOKER

WING/FULL-BACK

TO SPONSOR CALL

TO SPONSOR CALL

NOW WERE TALKING

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SCRUM-HALF

LOCK/BACK-ROW

NOW WE’RE TALKING

TO SPONSOR CALL

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SCRUM-HALF

TO SPONSOR CALL

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WING/CENTRE

TO SPONSOR CALL

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BACK-ROW

TO SPONSOR CALL

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SCRUM-HALF

TO SPONSOR CALL

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ASHLEY BECK

CALLUM BLACK

ANTON BRESLER

WILL BUTLER

TOM HOWE

PERRY HUMPHREYS

ANDREW KITCHENER

GRAHAM KITCHENER

DOB 15/04/1990 HEIGHT 1.91m WEIGHT 100kg

DOB 25/02/1986 HEIGHT 1.80m WEIGHT 118kg

DOB 16/02/1988 HEIGHT 1.98m WEIGHT 111kg

DOB 17/04/1998 HEIGHT 1.78m WEIGHT 92kg

DOB 03/06/1995 HEIGHT 1.83m WEIGHT 93kg

DOB 17/10/1994 HEIGHT 1.83m WEIGHT 93kg

DOB 15/07/1996 HEIGHT 2.01m WEIGHT 113kg

DOB 29/09/1989 HEIGHT 1.98m WEIGHT 118kg

CENTRE

LOOSEHEAD PROP

LOCK

WING

TO SPONSOR CALL

01905 459342

01905 459342

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WING

TO SPONSOR CALL

TO SPONSOR CALL

TO SPONSOR CALL

CENTRE

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LOCK

TO SPONSOR CALL

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LOCK

TO SPONSOR CALL

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CONOR CAREY

JUSTIN CLEGG

MATT COX

BECK CUTTING

JONO KITTO

MATT KVESIC

OLLIE LAWRENCE

SAM LEWIS

DOB 26/09/1991 HEIGHT 1.83m WEIGHT 126kg

DOB 11/01/1997 HEIGHT 2.03m WEIGHT 109kg

DOB 06/03/1988 HEIGHT 1.93m WEIGHT 100kg

DOB 04/09/1998 HEIGHT 1.83m WEIGHT 102kg

DOB 30/03/1992 HEIGHT 1.75m WEIGHT 84kg

DOB 14/04/1992 HEIGHT 1.91m WEIGHT 104kg

DOB 18/09/1999 HEIGHT 1.80m WEIGHT 100kg

DOB 11/11/1990 HEIGHT 1.83m WEIGHT 97kg

TIGHTHEAD PROP

LOCK

BACK-ROW

HOOKER

SCRUM-HALF

BACK-ROW

CENTRE

BACK-ROW

REGI

TO SPONSOR CALL

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TO SPONSOR CALL

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REGI

TO SPONSOR CALL

TO SPONSOR CALL

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NICK DAVID

TOM DODD

CORNELL DU PREEZ

ED FIDOW

MARCO MAMA

GEORGE MERRICK

ISAAC MILLER

CALEB MONTGOMERY

DOB 04/11/1998 HEIGHT 1.83m WEIGHT 90kg

DOB 28/10/1997 HEIGHT 1.91m WEIGHT 109kg

DOB 23/03/1991 HEIGHT 1.93m WEIGHT 115kg

DOB 11/09/1993 HEIGHT 1.88m WEIGHT 100kg

DOB 27/03/1991 HEIGHT 1.85m WEIGHT 105kg

DOB 04/10/1992 HEIGHT 2.01m WEIGHT 126kg

DOB 21/06/1994 HEIGHT 1.78m WEIGHT 105kg

DOB 19/06/1995 HEIGHT 1.91m WEIGHT 105kg

WING/FULL-BACK

BACK-ROW

TO SPONSOR CALL

01905 459342

WARRIORS.CO.UK 32

NUMBER 8

TO SPONSOR CALL

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WING

BACK-ROW

TO SPONSOR CALL

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LOCK

TO SPONSOR CALL

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HOOKER

BACK-ROW

TO SPONSOR CALL

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33 WARRIORS.CO.UK

PLAYERS & COACHING STAFF

2020-21

JOE MORRIS

MATT MOULDS

MELANI NANAI

KAI OWEN

DUNCAN WEIR

MATTI WILLIAMS

DOB 08/05/1998 HEIGHT 1.78m WEIGHT 116kg

DOB 15/05/1991 HEIGHT 1.88m WEIGHT 106kg

DOB 03/08/1993 HEIGHT 1.93m WEIGHT 93kg

DOB HEIGHT WEIGHT -

DOB 10/05/1991 HEIGHT 1.73m WEIGHT 89kg

DOB 29/07/1991 HEIGHT 1.85m WEIGHT 105kg

TO SPONSOR CALL

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HOOKER

TO SPONSOR CALL

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CHRIS PENNELL

NICK SCHONERT

JAMES SCOTT

DOB 20/12/1993 HEIGHT 1.85m WEIGHT 120kg

DOB 26/04/1987 HEIGHT 1.83m WEIGHT 96kg

DOB 20/09/1991 HEIGHT 1.88m WEIGHT 119kg

DOB 18/06/1999 HEIGHT 1.98m WEIGHT 110kg

FULL-BACK

TIGHTHEAD PROP

TO SPONSOR CALL

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LOCK

TO SPONSOR CALL

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BILLY SEARLE

JAMIE SHILLCOCK

GARETH SIMPSON

MARC THOMAS

DOB 25/03/1996 HEIGHT 1.78m WEIGHT 85kg

DOB 01/08/1997 HEIGHT 1.78m WEIGHT 90kg

DOB 02/11/1997 HEIGHT 1.78m WEIGHT 83kg

DOB 15/07/1990 HEIGHT 1.78m WEIGHT 114kg

FLY-HALF

FLY-HALF/ FULL-BACK

SCRUM-HALF

CU

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RT

LOOSEHEAD PROP

IS SPO RT

TO SPONSOR CALL

Es

t. 2 0 0 9

TO SPONSOR CALL

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SCOTT VAN BREDA

GJ VAN VELZE

FRANCOIS VENTER

ETHAN WALLER

DOB 12/12/1991 HEIGHT 1.88m WEIGHT 98kg

DOB 21/02/1988 HEIGHT 1.93m WEIGHT 108kg

DOB 19/04/1991 HEIGHT 1.85m WEIGHT 95kg

DOB 13/08/1992 HEIGHT 1.85m WEIGHT 120kg

FULL-BACK/CENTRE

TO SPONSOR CALL

01905 459342

WARRIORS.CO.UK 34

BACK-ROW

TO SPONSOR CALL

01905 459342

BACK-ROW

TO SPONSOR CALL

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RICHARD PALFRAMAN

TIGHTHEAD PROP

FLY-HALF

LOOSEHEAD PROP

FULL-BACK

CENTRE

COACHING STAFF

TIGHTHEAD PROP

ALAN SOLOMONS

JONATHAN THOMAS

MATT SHERRATT BACKS COACH

SENIOR ASSISTANT COACH

TO SPONSOR CALL

TO SPONSOR CALL

TO SPONSOR CALL

TO SPONSOR CALL

DIRECTOR OF RUGBY

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MARK IRISH

HEAD COACH

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MARK JONES

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SCRUM & ASSISTANT FORWARDS COACH

ACADEMY MANAGER

MIKE HALL

JONNY GOODRIDGE ACADEMY STAFF

ACADEMY STAFF

TO SPONSOR CALL

TO SPONSOR CALL

TO SPONSOR CALL

TO SPONSOR CALL

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01905 459342

MIKE HILL

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LOOSEHEAD PROP

TO SPONSOR CALL

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35 WARRIORS.CO.UK 35 WARRIORS.CO.UK

PLAYERS & COACHING STAFF

ACADEMY

SEB ATKINSON CENTRE

DOB 21/05/2002 HEIGHT 188cm WEIGHT 94.5kg

MORGAN MONKS BACK-ROW

JACK FORSYTHE BACK-ROW

DOB 14/03/2002 HEIGHT 190cm WEIGHT 97kg

OLI MORRIS CENTRE

DOB 27/09/200 HEIGHT

DOB 19/08/1999 HEIGHT

WEIGHT 119.2kg

WEIGHT 85.7kg

JOE RICHARDSON HOOKER

DOB 28/10/2001 HEIGHT 185cm WEIGHT 106.6kg

NOAH HEWARD

WING/FULL-BACK

LOOSEHEAD PROP DOB 09/01/2001 HEIGHT

WEIGHT 91.3kg

WEIGHT 115.8kg

PROP

DOB 02/07/2002 HEIGHT 183cm WEIGHT 107kg

FINN SMITH

HARRY SPENCER

DOB 11/05/2002 HEIGHT 182cm WEIGHT 90.1kg

DOB 09/10/2001 HEIGHT 185cm WEIGHT 88.3kg

FLY-HALF

LEWIS HOLSEY

DOB 11/10/2000 HEIGHT

BEN MURPHY

CENTRE

2020-21

MITCH REEVE PROP

DOB 06/09/2001 HEIGHT 185cm WEIGHT 114kg

OLLIE WYNN

SCRUM-HALF DOB 11/10/2001 HEIGHT 172cm WEIGHT 71kg

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COMMERCIAL NEWS

PLAYER SPONSORSHIP

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BMI The Droitwich Spa Hospital have been at the forefront of the drive to improve clinical and non-clinical service standards across the independent sector. They aim to provide the highest standards in all aspects of patient care.

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WARRIORS.CO.UK 40

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41 WARRIORS.CO.UK

PLAYER STATS 2020/21

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WARRIORS.CO.UK 42

WARRIORS CAREER

Apps (subs)

Tries

Cons

Pens

Dgs

Points

A

T

C

P

DG

Chris Ashton

3(0)

0

0

0

0

0

3(0)

0

0

0

0

Pts 0

Niall Annett

9(2)

1

0

0

0

5

75(26)

7

0

0

0

35

Luke Baldwin

0(0)

0

0

0

0

0

14(22)

4

0

0

0

20

Joe Batley

7(3)

1

0

0

0

5

7(4)

1

0

0

0

5

Ashley Beck

8(5)

0

0

0

0

0

28(9)

4

0

0

0

20

Callum Black

1(2)

0

0

0

0

0

58(44)

3

0

0

0

15

Anton Bresler

5(1)

0

0

0

0

0

52(7)

0

0

0

0

0

Will Butler

2(0)

0

0

0

0

0

11(6)

3

0

0

0

15

Conor Carey

2(2)

0

0

0

0

0

10(5)

0

0

0

0

0

Justin Clegg

9(2)

1

0

0

0

5

13(12)

2

0

0

0

10 40

Matt Cox

0(0)

0

0

0

0

0

55(47)

8

0

0

0

Beck Cutting

2(6)

0

0

0

0

0

7(16)

1

0

0

0

5

Nick David

13(0)

3

0

0

0

15

25(3)

8

0

0

0

40

Tom Dodd

2(2)

0

0

0

0

0

9(7)

0

0

0

0

0

Cornell du Preez

5(4)

0

0

0

0

0

31(9)

2

0

0

0

10

Ed Fidow

1(0)

0

0

0

0

0

5(0)

2

0

0

0

10

Michael Heaney

0(4)

0

0

0

0

0

14(25)

2

0

0

0

10

Alex Hearle

1(0)

0

0

0

0

0

4(6)

1

0

0

0

5

Noah Heward

0(0)

0

0

0

0

0

6(1)

4

0

0

0

20

Ted Hill

10(1)

1

0

0

0

5

48(11)

13

0

0

0

65

Lewis Holsey

0(0)

0

0

0

0

0

0(3)

0

0

0

0

0

Francois Hougaard

9(2)

0

0

0

0

0

81(4)

14

0

0

0

70

Tom Howe

3(0)

2

0

0

0

10

36(7)

24

0

0

0

120

Perry Humphreys

10(0)

5

0

0

0

25

69(16)

23

0

0

0

115

Andrew Kitchener

7(2)

0

0

0

0

0

27(30)

0

0

0

0

0

Graham Kitchener

3(0)

0

0

0

0

0

64(34)

5

0

0

0

25

Jono Kitto

0(1)

0

0

0

0

0

5(7)

2

0

0

0

10

Matt Kvesic

9(1)

0

0

0

0

0

58(20)

10

0

0

0

50

Ollie Lawrence

2(0)

1

0

0

0

5

26(13)

14

0

0

0

70

Sam Lewis

1(4)

0

0

0

0

0

81(14)

11

0

0

0

55 40

Marco Mama

7(0)

1

0

0

0

5

57(120

8

0

0

0

George Merrick

2(5)

0

0

0

0

0

2(5)

0

0

0

0

0

Isaac Miller

3(5)

0

0

0

0

0

7(20)

2

0

0

0

10 0

Morgan Monks

1(1)

0

0

0

0

0

1(4)

0

0

0

0

Caleb Montgomery

0(1)

0

0

0

0

0

3(2)

1

0

0

0

5

Joe Morris

1(0)

0

0

0

0

0

1(5)

0

0

0

0

0 15

Oli Morris

9(3)

2

0

0

0

10

10(5)

3

0

0

0

Matt Moulds

0(0)

0

0

0

0

0

10(2)

0

0

0

0

0

Melani Nanai

5(0)

1

0

0

0

5

17(0)

3

0

0

0

15

Kai Owen

0(1)

0

0

0

0

0

0(10)

0

0

0

0

0

Richard Palframan

3(9)

1

0

0

0

5

10(28)

2

0

0

0

10

Chris Pennell

6(0)

0

0

0

0

0

231(21)

42

32

49

0

421

Nick Schonert

8(0)

0

0

0

0

0

121(6)

3

0

0

0

15

James Scott

0(0)

0

0

0

0

0

5(4)

0

0

0

0

0

Billy Searle

6(2)

2

6

8

0

46

9(4)

3

11

10

0

67

Jamie Shillcock

5(3)

0

10

5

0

32

47(24)

15

53

22

0

257

Gareth Simpson

4(7)

1

0

0

0

5

5(14)

2

0

0

0

10

Finn Smith

1(1)

0

1

0

0

2

1(1)

0

1

0

0

2

Marc Thomas

4(7)

0

0

0

0

0

4(7)

0

0

0

0

0 29

Scott van Breda

0(1)

0

0

0

0

0

10(8)

3

5

1

0

Maks van Dyk

0(1)

0

0

0

0

0

0(1)

0

0

0

0

0

GJ van Velze

2(0)

0

0

0

0

0

93(13)

10

0

0

0

50 25

Francois Venter

7(2)

1

0

0

0

5

36(9)

5

0

0

0

Kieran Verden

0(2)

0

0

0

0

0

0(2)

0

0

0

0

0

Ethan Waller

9(4)

1

0

0

0

5

55(31)

3

0

0

0

15

Duncan Weir

3(1)

1

2

5

0

24

47(4)

8

84

82

0

454

Matti Williams

0(1)

0

0

0

0

0

10(18)

2

0

0

0

10

43 WARRIORS.CO.UK

KEY TO STATISTICS

FIXTURES & RESULTS 2020/21 FULL BACK

WING

COMPETITIONS: GP - GALLAGHER PREMIERSHIP EPCR - EUROPEAN CHALLANGE CUP PRC - PREMIERSHIP RUGBY CUP VENUE: MATCHES AT SIXWAYS IN BOLD

CENTRE

CENTRE

WING

FLY HALF

SCRUM-HALF

PROP

HOOKER

PROP

LOCK

LOCK

FLANKER

FLANKER

SCORING : T - TRY C - CONVERSION P - PENALTY DG - DROP GOAL SUBSTITUTIONS : (NUMBER) POSITION REPLACED

NO.8

REP 1

REP 2

REP 3

18

REP 4

19

REP 5

DATE

OPPONENT

H/A

COMPETITION

KICK OFF

TV

RESULT

ATTENDANCE

15

14

13

12

11

10

9

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

16

17

SAT 21

LONDON IRISH

H

GP

3PM

BT

11-10 W

0

Nanai

Howe 1T

O Morris

Venter

David

Searle 2P

Hougaard

Waller

Annett

Schonert

Bresler

A Kitchener

Batley

Hill (C)

Mama

Cutting (2)

Black (1)

Palframan Merrick (6) Kvesic (4) (3)

20

SAT 28

BRISTOL BEARS

A

GP

3PM

BT

30-13 L

0

Nanai

Howe 1T

O Morris

Venter

David

Searle 1P

Hougaard

Black

Annett

Palframan

Bresler

A Kitchener

Hill (C)

Kvesic

Mama 1T

Cutting (8)

Waller (1)

Carey (3)

Merrick (7)

SAT 5

BATH RUGBY

H

GP

3PM

BT

SAT 12

PAU

A

ECC

8PM

REP 6

REP 7

REP 8

21

22

23

Simpson

Shillcock

Beck (13)

Shillcock (10)

Beck (12)

Batley (4) Simpson (9)

PEN TRY

DECEMBER Monks (7) Simpson (9)

Searle (10) 2C

Beck (13)

Williams (8)

Kitto (9)

van Breda (14)

Hougaard (9)

Searle (15) 1T

O Morris

Simpson (9)

Weir

O Morris (12)

Lewis (7)

Simpson (9)

Shillcock (15)

Venter

17-33

L

2,000

Nanai

Humphreys 1T

O Morris

Venter

David 1T

Weir 1P

Hougaard

Waller

Annett

Palframan

Bresler

Batley

Hill (C)

Dodd

Du Preez

Cutting (2)

Black (1)

Carey (3)

Merrick (4)

24-20

L

0

Pennell (CC)

Fidow

Beck

Butler (CC)

Hearle

Shillock 1C 2P

Simpson 1T

Thomas

Cutting

Carey

Merrick

Clegg

Batley

Lewis

Monks

Miller (2)

Owen (1)

Verden (3)

Scott

Waller (1)

A Kitchener Verden (3) Batley (8) (4)

SAT 19

OSPREYS

H

ECC

8PM

S4C

29-38

L

2,000

Nanai 1T

Humphreys Lawrence 1T

Beck

David

Shillock 3C 1P

Simpson 1T

Thomas

Miller

Palframan

Merrick

Clegg

Hill (C) 1T

Mama

Du Preez

SAT 26

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS

A

GP

4.30PM

BT

29-10

L

0

Nanai

Humphreys

Lawrence

Beck

David

Searle 1T 1C 1P

Hougaard

Waller

Annett

Schonert

Clegg

A Kitchener

Hill (C)

Mama

Du Prez

L

0

Pennell

Humphreys

O Moris

Beck

David

Weir 2P

Hougaard

Waller

Annett

Schonert

Bresler

Clegg

Hill (C)

Kvesic

Mama

17-21

L

0

Pennell

Humphreys O Morris 1T

Beck

David

Searle

Hougaard

Waller

Annett

Schonert

Clegg

G Kitchener

Hill (C)

Kvesic

Mama

41-24

L

0

Pennell

Humphreys 1T

O Morris 1T

Beck

David

Weir 1P

Simpson

Thomas

Annett

Schonert

Bresler

G Kitchener

Mama

Kvesic (C)

du Preez

Shillcock 1C 2P

Annett (2)

Cutting (2) Thomas (1)

Palframan (3)

Batley (5)

Montgomery(4)

Lewis (8)

1

JANUARY FRI 1

HARLEQUINS

H

GP

7.45PM

BT

FRI 8

SALE SHARKS

A

GP

8PM

BT

FRI 15

OSPREYS

A

ECC

8PM

S4C

SAT 23

PAU

H

ECC

3PM

SAT 30

EXETER CHIEFS

H

GP

3PM

LEICESTER TIGERS

A

GP

3PM

0-0 W 20-13

Miller (2)

Thomas (1)

Palframan Merrick (4) Du Preez (8) (3)

1

C-C C-C Cutting (2) Thomas (1)

Palframan (3)

Bresler (4)

Lewis (8)

Simpson (9)

Weir (10) 1T 2C 1P

Palframan (3) 1T

Clegg (4)

Lewis (7)

Hill (6)

Heaney (9)

Shillock (10) 3C

FEBRUARY SAT 6

BT Sport Extra 1

SUN 14

WASPS

H

GP

1PM

SAT 20

NEWCASTLE FALCONS

H

GP

3PM

BT

SAT 27

GLOUCESTER RUGBY

A

GP

3:15PM

BT Sport Extra 1

BRISTOL BEARS

H

GP

5:15PM

BT Sport Extra 1

13-17

L

0

Pennell

Humphreys

Venter

Beck

David 1T

22-14

L

0

Pennell

Ashton

O Morris

Venter

David 1T

23-24

L

0

David

Ashton

O Morris

Simpson

Cutting (2)

Waller (1)

Cutting (2) Thomas (1)

Palframan A Kitchener van Velze (3) (4)

Heaney (9)

Smith

O Morris (14)

Heaney (9)

Smith (15)

Beck (12)

Waller

Miller

Schonert

G Kitchener

Clegg

Hill (C)

Kvesic (C)

du Preez

Shillcock 1C Hougaard

Waller

Annett

Schonert

A Kitchener

Clegg

Batley

Kvesic (C)

van Velze

Miller (2)

Thomas (1)

Palframan Merrick (5) (3)

Venter 1T

Humphreys Shillcock 1C Hougaard 1T

Waller

Cutting

Schonert

A Kitchener

Clegg

Batley

Kvesic (C)

van Velze

Miller (2)

Thomas (1)

Palframan (3)

Dodd

du Preez (8) Heaney (10)

Searle (14) 1C 3P

Beck (13)

Beck

Humphreys

Searle 2C 1P

Thomas (1)

Palframan (3)

Dodd (6)

duPreez (4) Simpson (9)

Smith

O Morris (12)

Butler

Humphreys 2T

Searle

Venter (15)

0-0 W Dodd (6)

MARCH SAT 6 SUN 14

LONDON IRISH

A

GP

1PM

SAT 20

BATH RUGBY

A

GP

2:15PM

SAT 27

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS

H

GP

3PM

APRIL 16, 17 OR 18

HARLEQUINS

A

GP

TBC

23, 24 OR 25

SALE SHARKS

H

GP

TBC

7, 8 OR 9

EXETER CHIEFS

A

GP

TBC

14, 15 OR 16

WASPS

A

GP

TBC

28, 29 OR 30

LEICESTER TIGERS

H

GP

TBC

4,5 OR 6

NEWCASTLE FALCONS

A

GP

TBC

SAT 12

GLOUCESTER RUGBY A

H

GP

TBC

MAY

JUNE

WARRIORS.CO.UK 44

BT Sport 1

20-17 47-22

BT Sport Extra 2

L L

0 0

David David

Howe Ashton

Venter O Morris

Smith 1C

Hougaard Simpson

Waller Thomas

Annett 1T Miller

Carey J Morris

A Kitchener A Kitchener

Clegg 1T Batley 1T

Hill (C) Hill (C)

Kvesic Kvesic

Batley Dodd

Miller (2)

Annett (2) Waller (1) 1T

van Dyk

Hougaard Clegg (4) de Preez (7) (9)

1

TODAY’S TEAMS

TAKE A WALK IN THESE BOOTS

NORTHAMPTON

WORCESTER WARRIORS

CHRIS PENNELL CHRIS ASHTON OLLIE LAWRENCE ASHLEY BECK PERRY HUMPHREYS BILLY SEARLE FRANCOIS HOUGAARD

15 14 13 12 11 10 9

15 14 13 12 11 10 9

GEORGE FURBANK TOM COLLINS RORY HUTCHINSON PIERS FRANCIS OLLIE SLEIGHTHOLME DAN BIGGAR ALEX MITCHELL

ETHAN WALLER NIALL ANNETT NICK SCHONERT ANDREW KITCHENER JUSTIN CLEGG TED HILL (C) MATT KVESIC JOE BATLEY

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

ALEX WALLER (C) SAM MATAVESI EHREN PAINTER DAVID RIBBANS API RATUNIYARAWA NICK ISIEKWE TOM WOOD TEIMANA HARRISON

ISAAC MILLER MARC THOMAS RMAKS VAN DYK TOM DODD CORNELL DU PREEZ GARETH SIMPSON FIN SMITH FRANCOIS VENTER

16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23

16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23

MIKE HAYWOOD NICK AUTERAC PAUL HILL ALEX COLES SHAUN ADENDORFF TOM JAMES FRASER DINGWALL TOMMY FREEMAN

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MATCH OFFICIALS REF: ANDREW JACKSON PR: ANDREW VERTIGAN AR1: JONATHAN HEALY AR2: SIMON MCCONNELL NO4: JOE JAMES NO5: PETER BRUNT TIMEKEEPER: NICK EDWARDS TMO: TREVOR FISHER

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