ARGENTINA international Agustin Creevy is poised to make his long-awaited return from injury when Worcester Warriors host Leicester Tigers in the Aviva Premiership tomorrow (Friday, 7.45pm).
The hooker made an instant impact when he arrived at Sixways in October as he marked his debut with a try against Sale Sharks.
But a knee injury sustained two weeks later against Bath has kept Creevy sidelined for the last three months.
Despite the 28-year-old’s lack of game-time, director of rugby Dean Ryan has decided to hand him a starting jersey against the reigning champions.
Creevy is also one of six changes to the side which was thrashed 42-3 against Exeter Chiefs as Jonny Arr returns at scrum half and Paul Warwick replaces Ignacio Mieres as stand-off.
Mike Williams keeps his place in the back-row alongside Sam Betty and captain Jonathan Thomas, while Alex Grove has been selected at outside centre after representing Scotland A last weekend.
Ryan admitted he was “embarrassed” by side’s dismal showing against Exeter and he has now urged his players to comeback fighting.
“I want to make this club a proud place to be and the only way people can represent that is by responding against Leicester,” he said.
“We have done a lot of talking and we have not had that reaction which we wanted. We are running out of words, so it is about actions now and if we can’t get those then we will have to live with the consequences.
“We have put ourselves in a hole, but we are going to have to beat a team like Leicester, Northampton or Harlequins if we are to get ourselves out of this position. That starts at home this Friday night and we will fight like mad to give ourselves every chance.”
Warriors’ side to face Leicester: Pennell, Drauniniu, Grove, Fatiaki, Lemi, Warwick, Arr, Fainga’anuku, Creevy, Andress, Percival, Galarza, Williams, Betty, Thomas (C)
Replacements: Shervington, Porter, O’Donnell, Schofield, Senatore, Hodgson, Mieres, Matavesi