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SANDERSON THE HERO IN ESCAPE FOR WORCESTER

Pat Sanderson could lead England in South Africa

Sunday April 29,2007

By Henry Talbot

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WORCESTER boss John Brain hailed a blistering performance by Pat Sanderson after the Warriors secured survival.

Sanderson led from the front as Worcester toppled Saracens at Sixways, keeping them a point above Northampton.

Worcester looked down and out just two months ago, but successive home league wins against Bath, Newcastle and Saracens kept them afloat.And Sanderson, who could lead an under-strength England squad in South Africa this summer, typified a colossal Warriors effort.

Brain said: "We were ice-cool under pressure, and all credit to the players. We had a plan, and the players really executed it.

"I am delighted for all the supporters and for (chairman) Cecil Duckworth.

"Pat led the team extremely well. He said all the right things in the build-up to the game, and he definitely did the business under pressure today."

Worcester have already secured the services of All Blacks centre Sam Tuitupou next term, while Brain has not ruled out retaining England's 2003 World Cup defence coach Phil Larder, who has worked in an advisory capacity at Sixways this season.

Despite losing, Saracens secured a fourth-place finish and play-off trip to Gloucester next Saturday.

Saracens rugby director Alan Gaffney said: "Our goal was a top-six finish, but our dream goal was top four. We are euphoric about achieving that, although you can't be euphoric about the performance today.

"It is very difficult to see how Worcester finished where they did in the league. Their defence was aggressive, and they had a lot to play for, but so did we."

With pressure at an almost unbearable level, Worcester delivered the goods when it really mattered, staying afloat thanks to tries from hooker Aleki Lutui, flanker Drew Hickey and Dale Rasmussen.

Full-back Shane Drahm added two conversions and a drop-goal, complementing the efforts of a fired-up Worcester pack that took Saracens' eight to the cleaners. The visitors had only a Dan Scarbrough try that Andy Farrell converted to show for their efforts.

Worcester can now look forward to a fourth successive campaign in English rugby's top flight, having looked down and out just a couple of months ago.

WORCESTER 27
SARACENS 7