WORCESTER Warriors have named their squad ahead of the club’s return to professional rugby against Coventry.
Matt Everard has named his first 23-man squad as Warriors head coach ahead of the start of the new Champ Rugby season.
The game marks Worcester’s competitive return to professional rugby after the club entered administration back in September 2022.
Everard said: “Coventry are top quality team and they’ve got a very good squad.
“You’ve seen how they’ve progressed across the Champ over the last few seasons and they’re really well coached by Alex Rae and Gordon Ross.
“I just speak about the boys enjoying the occasion, expressing the best version of themselves – just enjoy it.
“The lads are very, very grateful for the support we have – that started from the open fan training sessions which I think were actually more powerful for the playing group then they were for the fans.”
Captain Matt Rogerson starts in the number eight position as Tim Anstee and Matt Kvesic completed the back row.
Billy Keast and Tim Hoyt start at prop with former Coventry hooker Will Biggs in the number two shirt.
In the second row, Come Joussain and Bath loanee Harvey Cuckson complete the pack.
Wales international Lloyd Williams starts at scrum-half with Will Reed at fly-half and Billy Twelvetrees and Tom Seabrook in the centres.
At full-back, Louis Brown gets the nod with lfie Garside and Roma Zheng on the wings.
Supporting the front row from the bench are Austin Wallis, Livai Natave and Ashley Challenger.
Hallam Chapman, Thabo Ndimande and Khalik Kareem are the other forward options.
And Jake Garside and James Short complete the squad for the sold-out fixture.
Worcester host Coventry on Saturday, October 4 with kick-off at 2pm at Sixways.
Worcester’s squad to play Coventry
Starting XV: Billy Keast, Will Biggs, Tim Hoyt, Come Joussain, Harvey Cuckson, Tim Anstee, Matt Kvesic, Matt Rogerson, Lloyd Williams, Will Reed, Alfie Garside, Billy Twelvetrees, Tom Seabrook, Roma Zheng, Louis Brown.
Replacements: Austin Wallis, Livai Natave, Ashley Challenger, Hallam Chapman, Thabo Ndimande, Jake Garside, James Short, Khalik Kareem.
