Clarke gearing up for emotional match against Saints

The centre left Northampton for Worcester last summer, and will come face to face with his old team-mates for the first time on Saturday.

Clarke made 165 appearances during his nine years at Franklin’s Gardens, scoring 160 points in the process.

He helped the club to three successive Premiership play-off semi-finals and a Heineken Cup final, but lost his place in the side last season due to the emergence of Samoan star George Pisi.

The 29-year-old is now focusing on Worcester’s survival bid and he is aiming to enhance their chances with a win against his former club.

“It’s a massive game for the club and where we want to be,” Clarke told the Worcester News.

“We have got to make up for the disappointment at Bath last weekend and my personal game against my old club is put to one side.

“It’s not about me, it’s about being a Warrior and getting the win.”

Worcester go into the game on the back of a home loss to Saracens and a drubbing at Bath, while Saints were also wounded last weekend, losing 27-11 to Gloucester.

Consequently, Clarke is expecting an angry battle at Sixways this weekend and he has urged his team-mates to be up for it.

“We suffered a big disappointment at Sixways against Saracens in the LV= Cup and we are desperate to make up for it,” he said.

“We had played really well here, especially in the league, and got some good wins.

“Northampton will come here after losing in their own backyard, so both teams will be angry.

“Both teams want to move up and we have got to be up for it, our mind-set has got to be to get ready for a battle.

“They need the win and so do we. It will be an emotional day for me against my old club, it will be a weird week and it is not something I am used to - it’s a first for me.”