Skipper loses fitness race

12:27pm Friday 5th September 2008

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WORCESTER Warriors skipper Pat Sanderson has lost his raced to be fit in time for Sunday’s Guinness Premiership curtain-raiser at Northampton Saints (1.30pm).

The back-row forward suffered a dead-leg in the friendly against Ulster last week and has been unable to shake-off the injury and went for a scan on Wednesday and is already rated as doubtful for next weekend’s clash with London Wasps.

Worcester director of rugby Mike Ruddock will also be without Marcel Garvey for the trip to Franklin’s Gardens due to a hip injury with Rico Gear and Miles Benjamin taking their place on the wings, while Australian full-back Chris Latham will make his Premiership debut.

Ruddock has named New Zealand international second-rower Greg Rawlinson as skipper for the Saints match.

Saints: Reihana (capt); Ashton, Clarke, Downey, Lamont; Spencer, Dickson; Tonga’uiha, Shields, Murray, Fernandez Lobbe, Day, Best, Gray, Wilson. Reps: Hartley, Smith, Rae, Hopley, Foden, Myler, Ansbro.

Warriors: Latham; Gear, Rasmussen, Tuitupou, Benjamin; Jones, M Powell; Mullan, Lutui, Taumoepeau, Rawlinson (capt), Gillies, Talei, Wood, Horstmann. Reps: Horsman, Fortey, Bowley, Collins, R Powell,Crichton, Pennell.