Annett wary of his old pal Paddy’s unpredictability
NIALL Annett identifies schoolboy pal and fellow Ulsterman Paddy Jackson as the man Worcester must stop if they are to secure a seasonal ‘double’ over London Irish.
Warriors edged an 11-10 win at Sixways in November but have struggled to build any momentum since then while Jackson has flourished for the resurgent Exiles.
Annett said: “Paddy and I went to Methodist College Belfast – we’ve known each other a long time and he’s a good guy I’ve got a lot of time for.
“I’m delighted to see him doing so well at Irish, where he looks really comfortable and is playing some very good rugby. He’s found somewhere he can play regularly and show the brilliant abilities he has with his kicking, passing and running game.”
Having left Ireland under a cloud in 2018, Jackson is unlikely to add to his 25 Test caps, but Annett knows the challenges his former Ulster colleague will pose. The hooker added: “I don’t think politics will ever allow him to play for Ireland again, unfortunately, but all Paddy can do is play the best rugby he can.
“As for this game, we’ve got a good idea how London Irish will go about their business, but the thing about Paddy is he’s quite unpredictable.
“He can do a little bit of everything and challenges the gain-line as well, so he’s someone we’ve got to keep a very close eye on.
“They’ve got some really threatening backs as well so how we manage them will go a long way towards getting a good result.”
Now in his seventh season at Worcester, Annett is delighted to finally be making his 100th appearance for the club he now considers home.
He explains: “I hit the 50 mark very quickly but then had a bad run of injuries that ruled me out, so I’m very pleased to have come through that.
“I’m proud to reach 100 games because Worcester’s a club I really care about.
“We’re doing a lot of good stuff but we just can’t squeak a win at the moment. It doesn’t need a 40-pointer, just one will do, but as soon as we get a ‘W’ on the scoreboard things will snowball off the back of that.”
Aside from Covid-affected results, Worcester have managed just one league win all season. But Annett adds: “It’s such a momentum-based game and we’re doing so much right under a good set of coaches led by Jonathan Thomas.
“If you look at recent games, we’ve pushed Sale, Exeter, Wasps, Gloucester and Bristol really close, taking losing bonus points from four of them, so everyone at the club is really positive that there’s quality stuff going on here.
“The coaches have been tough on us at the right times whilst reinforcing what works well and that will translate into good results.”