WORCESTER Warriors have made five changes to their forward pack ahead of tonight’s return clash with Gloucester in the European Challenge Cup.
An all change front row sees Val Rapava Ruskin, Ben Sowrey and Mike Daniels promoted from the subs bench for the match at Kingsholm, while Fijian lock Tevita Cavubati comes into the starting line-up next to Dan Sanderson.
Sam Betty will start in the back row alongside Carl Kirwan and Marco Mama, as Warriors go in search of a second win in Pool Four against their local rivals.
The backline remains unchanged with Charlie Mulchrone captaining the side from scrum-half alongside stand-off Ryan Lamb, and centre Andy Symons looks to find some form after a lengthy injury lay-off next to Alex Grove, who is set for his 150th appearance for the club.
Ben Howard, Tom Biggs and Dean Hammond occupy the back three while Huw Taylor and Tiff Eden could make their first Warriors appearances of the season from the replacements bench.
Head coach Carl Hogg said: “It’s a European game so it’s got its own rights and playing against Gloucester is always a special fixture.
“It does give us an opportunity to see how some of our younger players are progressing and asks questions of whether they’re capable of playing in the Premiership.
“Playing back-to-back allows us to see what we’ve learnt from last Thursday night and to see if we can apply those lessons into tonight’s game.
“The endeavour, energy and intensity this group have shown in the competition has been great.
“It’s just whether we can be more accurate in our decision making and processes which will be key to the outcome tonight.”
Kick-off is at 7.45pm at the game is being broadcast live on Sky Sports 4.
Warriors
15 Ben Howard
14 Dean Hammond
13 Alex Grove
12 Andy Symons
11 Tom Biggs
10 Ryan Lamb
9 Charlie Mulchrone (C)
1 Val Rapava Ruskin
2 Ben Sowrey
3 Mike Daniels
4 Dan Sanderson
5 Tevita Cavubati
6 Sam Betty
7 Carl Kirwan
8 Marco Mama
Replacements
16 Jaba Bregvadze
17 Ryan Bower
18 Gareth Milasinovich
19 Darren Barry
20 Huw Taylor
21 Jonny Arr
22 Tiff Eden
23 Max Stelling