FULL-BACK Andrew Savage slots back into Nottingham
Rugby's starting XV to face London Scottish on Saturday after more
than two months out with injury.
SAVAGE COMEBACK:
Nottingham full-back Andrew Savage returns against London
Scottish on Saturday after more than two months out with
injury.
Savage's recall was prompted by injury to Rhys Crane who pulled
up sore in training this week.
David Jackson, the versatile Green and Whites triple centurion
who started five of the last seven games at full-back, moves onto
the left wing as cover for Crane.
Savage,26, made a scintillating start to the campaign with six
tries from 10 appearances before damaging his knee during training
in late October.
While he returned to full-training duties in early January, the
speedy back has had to be patient trying to force his way into a
side on a six-match winning streak in all competitions.
Savage's inclusion is the only change made by Martin Haag to the
starting XV that overcame Bedford last month to move clear second
in the RFU Championship standings.
Centre Andy Forsyth, who scored a first-half try in Leicester
Tigers' LV= Cup loss to Scarlets on Sunday, is recalled for
Nottingham and takes his place on the bench.
The trip to The Athletic Ground is the first of two away games
for the East Midlands club against sides fighting to move clear of
the relegation zone. The Green and Whites will next week make an
historic first visit to Jersey.
There might be six places and 26 points that separate Nottingham
and Scottish on the league table, but Green and Whites prop Michael
Holford still regards the side from the nation's capital as a major
threat.
"We are in top form and full of confidence having just beaten
Bedford, but it would all be worth nothing if we lose now," Holford
said.
"Scottish gave Newcastle a good run and turned Bedford over, so
they are the perfect example of a side that can beat anyone on
their day."
Nottingham Rugby team to face London Scottish at The
Athletic Ground on Saturday, February 9 (12.15pm
kick-off): 15 Andrew Savage 14 Alex Lewington 13 Tim
Streather 12 Joe Munro 11 David Jackson 10 James Arlidge 9 Sean
Romans 1 Matt Parr 2 Joe Duffey 3 Michael Holford 4 Dan Montagu 5
Nic Rouse 6 Rupert Cooper 7 Brent Wilson 8 Alex Shaw.
Replacements from: 16 Shaun Malton 17 Ryan
Bower 18 Joe Quinn 19 Tom Calladine 20 Finlay Barnham 21 Joe Cobden
22 Andy Forsyth.