FIJIAN centre pairing Josh Matavesi and Ravai Fatiaki are set to be unleashed from the start for the first time since October as Worcester Warriors host Oyonnax in the Amlin Challenge Cup tomorrow (Saturday, 3pm).
The duo had combined in midfield for the opening five games of the campaign before an injury to Fatiaki and the return of experienced centre Alex Grove broke up their partnership.
But director of rugby Dean Ryan has decided to give Matavesi and Fatiaki the chance to impress again as Warriors aim to end their European campaign on a high note.
Fatiaki’s inclusion is one of three changes made to the side which lost to 21-3 to Sale Sharks last week as George Porter and Ignacio Mieres have been brought back.
Warriors have also been boosted by the return of Dean Hammond from injury as he has been named on the bench, while wing Josh Watkins has been handed another chance to shine after making his debut at Sale.
Ryan said: “What is most important to us now is that we have as many players available to us going into the Leicester match so we have to get it right over the next few weeks.
“We will be utilising the opportunity to allow people to compete for places and give the likes of Ben (Howard) and Josh (Watkins) some more game time.
“Selection is always based around the club winning each week and opportunities to make the club better for the future. Those two things will continue.”
Paul Warwick is unlikely to return until next month after sustaining a neck injury against Sale. It has also left Warriors in short supply of fly halves, with talented teenager Tiff Eden ruled out and Danny Gray not registered for the tournament.
However, Ryan believes “maverick” centre Matavesi is more than capable of carrying the number ten jersey as well as taking on the kicking duties.
“Josh can slot in at number ten as he has played for Fiji in that position,” Ryan added. “He’s a maverick-type player and I quite like him operating at 12 but at ten he might be able to offer something different.
“He is a great kicker and he understands the game well but he has to get the balance right between his own personal ability to influence a game and the requirements to steer a ship.”
Warriors’ side to face Oyonnax: Howard, Drauniniu, Fatiaki, Matavesi, Watkins, Mieres, Arr, Porter, Shervington Andress, Schofield (C), Williams, Jones, Betty, Senatore
Replacements: Seymour, Andrew, O’Donnell, Percival, de Carpentier, Hodgson, Hammond, Stelling