Worcester vs Saracens, Friday night

[Puja]

Worcester: Adams; Humphreys, Willison, Te'o, Heem; Shillcock, Arr; Bower, Singleton, Alo, O'Callaghan (capt), Spencer, Denton, Faosiliva, van Velze

Replacements: Taufete'e, Waller, Milasinovich, Phillips, Scotland-Williamson, Kitto, Olver, Pennell.

Saracens: Goode; Maitland, Taylor, Barritt (capt.), Wyles; Lozowski, Spencer; Thompson-Stringer, Brits, Koch; Day, Kruis; Itoje, Clark, Wray.

Replacements: George, M Vunipola, Figallo, Isiekwe, Earl, Wigglesworth, Farrell, Tompkins.

[Puja]

A lot of games on a Friday night recently. What's that about?

Not a great game for Wuss to try and break their losing streak. Sarries heavily rotated and they still look fearsome. Their academy is ridiculous - to be able to have Thompson-Stringer, Isiekwe, Earl and Tompkins able to step in is a wonderful luxury. First big start for HTS at prop, isn't it?

Itoje still not rested and still on the sodding flank .

Puja

[Timbo]

Nonplussed as to why Sarries can't find a way to give Itoje a break. Back to back games against Sale and Worcester and he can't miss 1 of them?

[padprop]

Saracens going for the classic 6 forwards who have played in the back row at first team level. Koch and Day letting down the team.

[fivepointer]

I think this is H T-S 1st Prem start.
If there was ever a game to give Itoje a break, you would have thought it would be this one.

[Puja]

I think this is H T-S 1st Prem start.
If there was ever a game to give Itoje a break, you would have thought it would be this one.

Indeed. I know they're struggling in the back row, but Earl is capable of stepping in, as is Kruis if there's an injury during the game.

Puja

[Scrumhead]

I think this is H T-S 1st Prem start.
If there was ever a game to give Itoje a break, you would have thought it would be this one.

Has Thompson-Stringer moved to loosehead? I thought he was a flanker? I don't remember him being particularly bulky ... not prop bulky anyway.

[Mellsblue]

I think this is H T-S 1st Prem start.
If there was ever a game to give Itoje a break, you would have thought it would be this one.

Has Thompson-Stringer moved to loosehead? I thought he was a flanker? I don't remember him being particularly bulky ... not prop bulky anyway.

He was a flanker/no8 two or three years ago, moved to hooker and then to loosehead. I think his conversion to lh was only last year so to be starting for Sarries already is good going. He's been in Bedford's matchday squad a few times this season. I think he's played for Bedford in every position in the pack other than lock and th. He's naturally a big bloke. Prop big I don't know but he's been bulking up for front row for a couple of years.

[Puja]

I think this is H T-S 1st Prem start.
If there was ever a game to give Itoje a break, you would have thought it would be this one.

Has Thompson-Stringer moved to loosehead? I thought he was a flanker? I don't remember him being particularly bulky ... not prop bulky anyway.

Wikipedia puts him at 18st 10, which even allowing for the usual inflation, would still make him 18st. Perfectly serviceable for a prop.

Puja