WARRIORS‘ openside flanker Sam Lewis will make his first appearance in almost three months in Saturday’s Gallagher Premiership match against Sale Sharks at Sixways (kick-off 3pm).
Lewis underwent surgery after he dislocated his right shoulder against Leicester Tigers in early February and was expected to be out of action for at least 12 weeks.
But the Welshman has regained fitness earlier than anticipated and comes straight into the starting XV for his 96th appearance since he joined from Ospreys as one of five changes to the side that faced Harlequins.
Fly-half Fin Smith, who became the first 18-year-old to start a Premiership match for the club at Bath last month, will now make his first home start.
Tom Howe, who suffered a hip injury in a training match against Bristol Bears two weeks ago, is fit again starts on the right wing in place of Ed Fidow who has a hamstring strain.
In the pack Anton Bresler and Andrew Kitchener are reunited at second row for the first time since the second match of the season and become the fourth different lock combination in as many games.
Lock Justin Clegg returns to the squad as one of six forward replacements with Gareth Simpson covering half-back and Harri Doel, on loan from Scarlets, set for his second appearance having made his debut off the bench at Harlequins.
Wing Perry Humphreys, a late withdrawal last week, is still sidelined by a rib injury which he sustained against Northampton Saints last month.
Hooker Matt Moulds, who was due to make his comeback against Harlequins after 13 months out with a foot injury, again misses out having tweaked a hamstring in training.
Warriors | 15 Jamie Shillcock, 14 Tom Howe, 13 Ollie Lawrence, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Alex Hearle, 10 Fin Smith, 9 Francois Hougaard, 1 Ethan Waller, 2 Niall Annett, 3 Nick Schonert, 4 Anton Bresler,
5 Andrew Kitchener, 6 Ted Hill (C), 7 Sam Lewis, 8 GJ van Velze.
Replacements | 16 Isaac Miller, 17 Marc Thomas, 18 Richard Palframan, 19 Justin Clegg, 20 Tom Dodd, 21 Matt Kvesic, 22 Gareth Simpson, 23 Harri Doel.
Unavailable | Conor Carey, Beck Cutting, Matt Cox, Nick David, Ed Fidow, Noah Heward, Perry Humphreys, Marco Mama, George Merrick, Oli Morris, Matt Moulds, Melani Nanai, Duncan Weir.