SIXWAYS star Chris Pennell has returned from international duty and is set to start for Worcester Warriors when they travel to Nottingham Rugby on Sunday.
The full-back missed last weekend’s win over Doncaster Knights following his man-of-the-match performance for England Saxons against Ireland Wolfhounds.
But director of rugby Dean Ryan has brought Pennell straight back into his side which also sees Ryan Mills, Charlie Mulchrone, Niall Annett and Joe Rees return to the starting line-up.
Pennell’s inclusion means Ben Howard has been shifted to the wing with Tom Biggs occupying the other flank. Mills has taken the place of Ryan Lamb, while Andy Symons and Max Stelling team up at centre.
Annett and Rees replace Agustin Creevy and Nick Schonert in the front-row next to Ryan Bower while the versatile Mike Williams and Jonathan Thomas sit in the second-row. Leonardo Senatore, Sam Betty and skipper GJ van Velze keep their places in the back-row
Warriors boss Ryan said: “I’ve not actually been to Nottingham’s new ground but we’ve got to be in the right place mentally to make sure we take the same approach we did away at Moseley.
“Sometimes playing at different kinds of grounds can catch you out in terms of your mental approach.
“If we reference Yorkshire – that was a time when we didn’t get it right so we’ve been working on that specifically this week.
“The core of the squad is there or thereabouts now but it’s still about moving some people around and getting some fresh ones in and seeing more of what they can do.”
Warriors’ side to face Nottingham: Pennell, Howard, Stelling, Symons, Biggs, Mills, Mulchrone, Bower, Annett, Rees, Williams, Thomas, Senatore, Betty, Van Velze (C)
Replacements: Creevy, Rapava Ruskin, Daniels, O’Shea, Arr, Mieres, Fatiaki