WORCESTER Rugby Club coach Adrian Skeggs has named an unchanged side to face Henley Hawks on Saturday as the National One leaders get back to league action after the Christmas break.

The former Australian international will keep faith with the team which thrashed London Welsh 51-3 at Sixways in their last league outing.

Ally McLean and Mathew Back, who both bagged a brace of tries in an impressive Warriors performance at Rugby Lions recently, will have to make do with places on the bench at Marlow Road. Neil Lyman is still out with a calf injury while Andrea Moretti has been called up to train with Italy A until next week.

Skeggs said: "It's hard to turn around after a performance against London Welsh with a 51-3 result and make changes so I'm happy to keep the same side.

"There were a few areas we were looking at for alternatives for example for the number seven shirt but Nick Broughton did well in the last game so he gets another chance.

"The basis for us is that we keep the defence working as well as it has been doing, Leeds have been brushing teams aside with their attack, but for me defence will win this competition and that has to be our base."

Skeggs is well aware of the pressure second-placed Leeds Tykes are putting on the leaders after a string of bonus-point wins but knows a trip to Henley will be a tough test for his promotion-chasing side.

He said: "Henley away is not going to be easy especially as we've not had the best preparation for the match with the Christmas break.

"We're only as good as our last game - we have to match that enthusiasm - and I think the break has just taken a touch off that so it's vital that the boys get straight back into the zone.

"The team has made the mistake in the past about thinking about the bonus point before the win and now we know we've got to go to places like Henley and just look to get the result, the rest will follow."

He added: "We have to make sure we vary our game and keep the intensity going throughout the match.

"Hats off to Leeds - they are playing some good rugby and it is a worry but it's still early days."

Henley have been the perfect example of a Jekyll and Hyde side this season - tough to beat at home but timid on their travels.

They have only lost once on their home soil, earlier this month when they suffered a 26-13 defeat to Manchester in their last game at Dry Leas. However, they have been beaten five out of seven times away from home, including a 43-7 hammering at Headingley.

Worcester: Calder; Tuipulotu, Murdoch, Keil, Bromley, Va'a, Jarman; Windo, Lamerton, Hartland, Sims, Zaltzman, Evans, Broughton, Fryday.