Hartley, Lawes and Foden return for Saints as they go to Worcester

Director of rugby Jim Mallinder has recalled England pair Dylan Hartley and Courtney Lawes along with full-back Ben Foden, who was rested on RFU orders for last weekend’s home defeat to Gloucester.

Saints will field the strongest line-up available to them at Sixways, with Mallinder admitting his team has to right the wrongs of last weekend to claim the win against the Warriors.

“We’ve had open and honest discussions among the coaches and players this week, as we do every week,” said Mallinder.

“There were some good aspects to our play last week – we created chances and could have scored three more tries than we did – but we were also sloppy in areas, especially defence, and we’ve worked hard to tighten things up.

“Worcester can put in big performances, especially at home, and they’re going to be up for the game.

They’ve got some experienced and influential players in their squad and we will have to be streetwise as well as increase our intensity, physicality and accuracy from last week.”

Saints team to play Worcester, Aviva Premiership, Sixways, Saturday, February 16th, 3pm: Ben Foden; James Wilson, George Pisi, Tom May, Jamie Elliott; Stephen Myler, Lee Dickson; Soane Tonga’uiha, Dylan Hartley, Tom Mercey, Courtney Lawes, Mark Sorenson, Samu Manoa, Phil Dowson, GJ Van Velze.

Replacements: Mike Haywood, Alex Waller, Paul Doran-Jones, Rhys Oakley, Ben Nutley, Martin Roberts, Ryan Lamb, Dom Waldouck