Worcester Preview

Worcester Warriors

The Knights of Castle Park play their first of two pre season games against teams assuming the tag of Warriors this Friday as they travel to take on Worcester Warriors at the Sixways Stadium.
With little or no ill effect from the punishing draw in the heart of South Wales, the Doncaster side will take heart at fitness levels as they never slowed the pace at Pontypridd. The pre season opener showcased the development of Ali Warnock and Oli Goss who look to get a big second season at Castle Park under their belts, and gave a tantalising glimpse of a potential second row Partnership of Dan Smith and Glen Townson.
Worcester Warriors though will be a different proposition altogether, as most of the Knights players will be fully aware of. Ahead at half time in the respective game last year the Armthorpe Rd crowd witnessed the turning of the screw second half as Worcester’s Premiership strength began to show. The final Doncaster 9-32 Worcester scoreline didn’t reflect the Herculean effort of the Knights side to put themselves in front after the first 40, but was a fair reflection of the final quarter dominance of their Premiership opposition.
The sheer size and class of Worcester will surely mean the Knights can look forward to another epic encounter, but a strong spine of players with another years service under Lynn Howells will give Worcester nothing short of a difficult time. With so few changes in the half back and centre positions a familiarity of playing style will give the Knights more of an advantage this season.
Being the away team at a Premiership ground such as Sixways will always play to the advantage of Worcester, but as the next game for Lyn Howells charges is at home against Glasgow Warriors the pre season is setting the bar for what looks to be a tough Championship season.