Ojo ready to bring a bit of heat to Sixways

Published 7 Jan 2010 09:00 0 Comments

THE arctic cold snap is all that stands between London Irish winger Topsy Ojo making his first appearance of the season at Worcester on Saturday.

After recovering from a knee injury the England ace was an unused replacement in last weekend's narrow defeat at Northampton. He now looks set to claim a place in Saturday's match day squad, but could be denied by the weather.

Three of the weekend's Guinness Premiership games have already fallen foul of the weather.

On Wednesday morning both Sale and Newcastle called off their fixtures against Saracens and Gloucester respectively because it was deemed 'too dangerous for spectators' and there were 'significant concerns for access for the emergency services'.

And later in the day Bath's fixture against Northampton followed suit. Worcester are monitoring the situation in the Midlands and were forced to shut their Sixways Shop on yesterday (Wednesday).

A club statement said: "The decision on the playing of the fixture will be based on the pitch condition as well as on the safety of supporters and players travelling to the match. It will be made later in the week."

If the game does go ahead, one player certain to miss out is England flanker Steffon Armitage, who must be rested under the Elite Squad agreement.

Samoan skipper George Stowers also looks set to miss out with an ankle injury.

This means that Richard Thorpe is likely to come into the back row.

Elsewhere there are likely to be few other changes to the Irish team following consecutive good performances.

Scrum-half Peter Richards is available for selection again following a groin injury, while long-term absentee James Tideswell is also nearing full fitness to give Toby Booth extra options in the front row.

Amazingly Worcester have drawn four of their last five league matches, including a 16-16 tie at the Mad Stad.

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