ARGENTINIAN duo Agustin Creevy and Leonardo Senatore are set to make their first appearances for Worcester Warriors this season when they take on Nottingham in the British & Irish Cup tomorrow (Saturday, 2pm).
The pair have missed the start of Worcester’s campaign due to international commitments with Argentina who recorded a first-ever Rugby Championship win against Australia before defeating France and Italy in the autumn internationals.
Head coach Carl Hogg has named hooker Creevy in a strong team as he bids to clinch a home quarter-final after Warriors secured progression from Pool Three last week.
None of the starting line-up which beat Munster A in Cork retains their spot as Warriors also look to cement their place in the Aviva A League semi-finals when they play leaders Newcastle on Monday evening.
“We’d love to win against Nottingham on Saturday and get a home quarter-final. That’s really key for us as we have ambition in the cup competition,” he said.
“We’ve also got a vital Cavaliers fixture on Monday night which again can push us forward to qualification to the play-off stages of the Aviva A League. We want to keep both competitions live going into the New Year.”
Creevy lines up in a powerful front-row next to young props Val Rapava Ruskin and Mike Daniels while Mike Williams returns to the side in the second-row with Darren O’Shea.
Captain GJ van Velze captains the side at blindside flanker with Jonathan Thomas starting at number-eight and Sam Betty at seven. England international Chris Pennell also starts and will be part of a back-line, which includes Sam Smith, Tom Biggs, Ryan Mills, Max Stelling, while Jonny Arr will partner Ryan Lamb at half-back.
Senatore is on the bench along side Heath Stevens, who tore his hamstring in pre-season, and Alex Gordas, who has yet to play for Warriors since joining in the summer.
Hogg added: “The B&I Cup has been a good competition for us as it’s served many purposes and has given young players an opportunity to play in a challenging competition.
“All these matches present different challenges and I’m very impressed by the way the team have found a way to win these contests.
“It’s hugely important for us to win again on Saturday and it’s vital we get a performance.”
Warriors’ side to face Nottingham: Pennell, Smith, Stelling, Mills, Biggs, Lamb, Arr, Rapava Ruskin, Creevy, Daniels, O’Shea, Williams, Van Velze (C), Betty, Thomas
Replacements: George, Bower, Gordas, Senatore, Mulchrone, Symons, Stevens