POTENT wing Sam Smith will return to the starting line-up as Worcester Warriors look to extend their winning run to 22 at Bedford Blues tomorrow (Saturday, 3pm).
The former Harlequins back, who has ten tries in 12 appearances this season, is one of three changes to the side which thrashed Rotherham Titans at Sixways last weekend.
Tighthead prop Nick Schonert comes in for Joe Rees to join Niall Annett and Ryan Bower in the front-row, while Darren O’Shea replaces Jonathan Thomas in the second-row next to Mike Williams.
Thomas shifts to the back-row in place of Argentina international Leonardo Senatore alongside Sam Betty and skipper GJ van Velze.
Lock James Percival is back among the replacements for the trip to Goldington Road and could be set for a first league appearance since November.
Warriors’ victory over Titans last Saturday was their 21st win on the bounce which broke their previous record and secured their place in the play offs.
However, director of rugby Dean Ryan said it was important that his players did not rest on their laurels when they faced Bedford, who Worcester beat 42-12 in November.
“The first challenge was to get into the play-offs and we’ve done that now,” he said. “The next challenge is to be as prepared as possible at the tail-end of the year to cope with the play-off situation.
“Goldington Road is a tough ground to go to. It’s a tight and closed-in environment so we need to be aware of how to play.
“The weather is supposed to be lively over the next couple of days so that will change things a bit tactically but it’s another challenge for us to go to another difficult place.
“It’s something we’ve done well in recent weeks. We’ve gone in, got the job done and been sharp at the beginning so we’ll be challenging ourselves to do that again this week.”
Warriors’ side to face Bedford:
Howard, Smith, Stelling, Symons, Biggs, Mills, Arr, Bower, Annett, Schonert, Williams, O’Shea, Thomas, Betty, Van Velze (c)
Replacements: George, Rapava Ruskin, Daniels, Percival, Mulchrone, Mieres, Hammond