FLY HALF Paul Warwick has been handed the number ten jersey as Worcester Warriors aim to kick-start their season with victory over London Irish at the Madejski Stadium tomorrow (Saturday, 3pm).
The experienced back has come off second best in the battle with Ignacio Mieres for the fly half spot this season, but his impressive showings off the bench in recent weeks has earned Warwick a starting shirt.
His inclusion is one of two changes made by director of rugby Dean Ryan to the side which suffered a 26-8 defeat to league leaders Saracens at Sixways last Saturday.
Centre Ravai Fatiaki replaces Andy Symons, who sustained a broken collarbone against Sarries, to partner Alex Grove in midfield, while Leonardo Senatore holds down his place at number eight, with club skipper Jonathan Thomas ruled out with concussion.
Other notable additions sees Jonny Arr, Josh Matavesi and Ed Shervington named on the bench after recovering from their respective injuries.
A victory tomorrow will not only end their 16-match losing streak in the Aviva Premiership, but it will also be a huge boost to their survival hopes and Ryan is confident his side can secure that elusive win.
“In the last five or six games we have been consistently competitive against significant opposition,” Ryan said. “Hopefully we can get the outcome we all desire and then other teams will have to learn how to cope under pressure.
“We’re missing one or two players but we have others back so it’s about getting the continuity of people.
“But if we do lose people, we go to the next one and we move on. And that’s been a radical shift to the way this group have seen seasons before.”
Warriors’ side to face London Irish:
Pennell (c), Stephenson, Grove, Fatiaki, Drauniniu, Warwick, Su’a, Fainga’anuku, Brooker, O’Donnell, Percival, Galarza, de Carpentier, Betty, Senatore
Replacements: Shervington, Porter, Andress, Jones, Taulava, Arr, Mieres, Matavesi