GIANT lock Tim Collier has been put on standby for Worcester Warriors' trip to Northampton on Saturday.

The 21-stone second-rower has missed the last six matches after undergoing a hernia operation and has not played any part in a Guinness Premiership game since September.

But he could be in contention if fellow second-rower Phil Murphy does not recover from a toe injury he sustained in Friday's match against Bristol.

Kai Horstmann is another doubt for the game at Franklin's Gardens after picking up a knee injury.

Director of rugby John Brain insists there will be no repeat of the performance his side produced when the two teams met at Sixways last month.

On that occasion, Saints ran Warriors ragged in their Powergen Cup meeting and eventually won 22-7.

"I think that was probably our worst performance of the season," said Brain. "They actually came to our ground and physically imposed themselves.

"I think you can expect a better performance and a better attitude.

"We know that Saturday is a big opportunity for us. Northampton have lost their last five matches and they are beatable but that will make them all the more determined."

n Pat Sanderson has retained his place in the England squad for the match against Samoa on Saturday.

The Worcester flanker has been named in a 30-man party for the Twickenham fixture after impressing against Australia and New Zealand.

The only changes are the inclusion of Leicester wing Tom Varndell, who has scored six tries in seven Guinness Premiership games this season, and Gloucester's James Simpson-Daniel at the expense of Leicester pair Andy Goode and Ollie Smith.