MIKE Ruddock has hinted that in-form openside Jake Abbott will start Sunday's Guinness Premiership clash at Newcastle Falcons (3pm) with Warriors skipper Pat Sanderson being shunted to number eight.

Abbott, Worcester born-and-bred, started the Amlin Challenge Cup match against Olympus Rugby XV Madrid and followed that up with a barn-storming hat-trick ag-ainst Leicester Tigers in the Guinness 'A' League It is likely that Sixways academy product Abbott will be given the nod in the number seven shirt with Sander-son at the back of the pack, in place of Fijian international Netani Talei, as Ruddock looks to load his side with breakdown specialists to face the Falcons.

The Warriors director of rugby said: “Jake has certainly put a marker down for selection — he is a great young talent.

“He stepped it up a level in the ‘A’ game against Leices-ter — it wasn’t just the tries he scored, but his work-rate, tackling and ability to get to rucks, both clearing out and turning the ball over.

“He definitely put his hand up and I’ll have to sleep on it. I have to look carefully at the balance of my pack because I was very disappointed with them last week. They know that and Jake has done himself no harm at all.”

He added: “Pat has played eight before, I think he play-ed there for England, so there’s no reason I couldn't move him there."