Archie Vanes, Siva Naulago to debut for Worcester Warriors

Hooker Archie Vanes and wing Siva Naulago, who both appeared for Warriors in pre-season before being ruled out injured across the first half of the season, have been named in the matchday squad to host Hartpury on January 24.

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Hartpury were the first side to hand Warriors a competitive defeat since their return, triumphing 28-25 in round two of the Champ.

Going into the match, which will kick-off the second half of two side's Champ campaign, the two find themselves both in the play-off spots.

Worcester Warriors sit third on 47 points, having won eight matched of their 13 so far. Hartpury have also won eight matches but find themselves on 42 points, placed sixth.

Vanes appeared against both Ampthill and Bath in pre-season for Warriors, while Naulago also played in Warriors' final pre-season match against Bath.

Speaking on the forward, who worked with head coach Matt Everard during his time at Leicester Tigers, the coach said: "Archie Vanes is a young man I’ve worked with for the last few years, obviously we were at a previous club together.

"He is tough, he is as tough as they come.

"Your traditional hookers are hard and abrasive, Archie is that. You won’t be surprised for a lad who has come through the Leicester Tigers academy and his upbringing, he is going to bring that to the group, that bit of edge.

"He has a humongous capacity for work in regards to his engine. Back-to-back efforts, it is really impressive.

"He is very, very hungry to get back on the pitch."

On Siva Naulago, the coach added: "Siva is a pretty unique talent if I’m honest. He can do things that you don’t see many being able to do.

"A unique x-factor.

"He is pretty hard as well, made of granite, Fijian granite. I ran into him the other day and I felt it."

Both men will start on the bench in the match, alongside the likes of Fraser Balmain and James Tyas, who have both featured for Warriors this season, but have suffered minor injury setbacks.

"Two very different talents but both talented," added Everard. "They've been a massive part of the team across the season so far but they are both going to be making their debuts on Saturday.

"I am really excited to see them back out there."