Hill ponders Irish line-up (From Worcester News)

Worcester Warriors boss considers starts for weekend replacements

10:00am Monday 24th September 2012 in Sport By Tom Guest, @tomguestWN #WENsport

WARRIORS’ last action heroes have given Richard Hill a real selection headache ahead of Friday night’s huge Aviva Premiership showdown with London Irish at Sixways (8pm).

The starting XV for the 37-31 defeat at Northampton Saints put in an insipid display before the replacements sparked Worcester into life and played a huge role in the club securing two bonus points from the game.

Now head coach Hill admits he has plenty to ponder before the crucial clash with fellow strugglers Irish.

He said: “I think all the replacements could justify a place next week and claim to be up for selection.

“James Currie did very well when I brought him on at half-time, he coped very well and I am pleased for that young man.

“Craig Gillies secured restarts and our line-out and Josh Matavesi added to our midfield. Jonny Arr looked very sharp and Josh Drauniniu on the wing did too.

“I don’t profess to be an expert on the front row but I will get people like Phil Vickery to look at that with Nigel Redman.

“But I could see plenty of players who made a massive impact and put their hands up for selection on Friday.”

A last-gasp conversion by Andy Goode secured the second point but it had to be retaken after the fly-half missed with his first effort when Saints had charged too early.

Hill added: “We had a bit of luck as they rushed the kick. Against Bath they did that and we didn’t get the retake.

“This time it was retaken, we had that little bit of luck, but that was justified and Goodey can still put those over when the pressure is on.

“One point would have been good from 37-3 down. For Goodey to knock that over and get another really sent us home a lot happier.”

Hill continued: “Against Bath, Gloucester and Leicester, we were competitive. If we had lost this one by 30 or 40 points, it is difficult to lift the players. Now they have proven their character.

“We haven’t won a game yet but we have been close. If we get back to it today and work hard, concentrate and do our homework, we will hopefully get our rewards soon.

“I don’t feel we have the points we deserve. We should have had three extra against Bath and two against Gloucester.

“But, having said that, we picked up two when maybe if Northampton had kept going we wouldn’t have. It will even itself out.”