Bourgoin v Worcester: Teams
Joe Carlisle will make his first senior start for Worcester after being handed the No.10 jersey to face Bourgoin.
Last Updated: 06/12/08 9:38am
Joe Carlisle will make his first senior start for Worcester after being handed the No.10 jersey to face Bourgoin.
With Chris Pennell and Chris Latham missing, fit-again Loki Crichton will fill in at full-back allowing Carlisle to start at fly-half.
And Worcester director of rugby Mike Ruddock believes the clash at Stade Pierre Rajon will show how good Carlisle is.
"Joe has a huge amount of ability and his passing is as good as anything I have ever seen during my time in coaching," said Ruddock.
"He has a good rugby brain on his shoulders and makes good decisions. Joe has the ability to have a very good all-round game.
"He came on in the final last year against Bath and made things happen and kicked a conversion from the touchline. Joe has all the tools and now it is time to find out how good he is.
"It is a great chance for him in a cauldron in Bourgoin with a passionate crowd behind the home side. This will be a good indicator to us as to whether Joe is going to take the next step on. It's time for him to push the guys above him and show us he can do it."
The Warriors have also included Alex Grove at centre, with Sam Tuitupou returning to New Zealand because of a family illness.
In the pack Chris Horsman starts at prop ahead of the benched Tevita Taumoepeau.
Bourgoin: 15 F Denos, 14 M Nicolas, 13 D Janin, 12 M Viazzo, 11 R Coetzee, 10 B Boyet, 9 M Parra, 1 A Tchougong, 2 R Vigneaux, 3 K Wihongi, 4 C Basson, 5 W Jooste, 6 S Nicolas, 7 B Leonte, 8 Y Labrit.
Replacements: 16 J Genevois, 17 P Peyron, 18 P Cardinali, 19 T Genevois, 20 J Gondrand, 21 F Romanet, 22 S Laloo.
Worcester Warriors: 15 L Crichton, 14 R Gear, 13 D Rasmussen, 12 A Grove, 11 M Benjamin, 10 J Carlisle, 9 M Powell, 1 M Mullan, 2 A Lutui, 3 C Horsman, 4 G Rawlinson, 5 C Gillies, 6 N Talei, 7 P Sanderson, 8 K Horstmann.
Replacements: 16 T Taumoepeau, 17 C Fortey, 18 W Bowley, 19 M Cox, 20 J Arr, 21 G King, 22 C Fellows.