Worcester v Bath: Teams
Five of Worcester's summer signings will make their starting debuts in the Aviva Premiership opener against Bath.
Last Updated: 31/08/12 1:28pm
Five of Worcester's summer signings will make their starting debuts in the Aviva Premiership opener against Bath.
Dean Schofield, who arrived from Toulon, will skipper the side, while Semisi Taulava, John Andress, David Lemi and Josh Matavesi will also start.
Head coach Richard Hill said: "Dean Schofield, John Andress and Semisi Taulava come into a big and mobile pack while we feel David Lemi and Josh Matavesi will add a real attacking threat to our game.
"Semisi and Josh are players who have come here under the radar but are exceptionally good signings. We wanted a big ball carrying No.8 and what Semisi did for Rotherham was very destructive.
Improving
"We are undoubtedly a better team than we were this time last year and now we want to see it all come together."
Bath will hand starting debuts to Paul James, Dominic Day and Kyle Eastmond at Sixways.
James and Day both joined the club from the Ospreys and the Scarlets respectively over the summer, while Eastmond was limited to just three appearances off the bench after an injury-hit first season at The Rec.
Olly Barkley will make his first appearances since November, while Francois Louw plays before teaming up with the South Africa squad.
"We've had a good pre-season, and are pleased with the results, but we all know the real hard work is just beginning and that areas of our game still need improving," said coach Gary Gold.
"Worcester are a difficult side to prepare for. They have a good strong pack, a staunch defence and they are a team that work very hard for one another, which is always difficult to counter."
Worcester Warriors: 15 Chris Pennell, 14 Josh Drauniniu, 13 Alex Grove, 12 Josh Matavesi, 11 David Lemi, 10 Andy Goode, 9 Shaun Perry, 8 Semisi Taulava, 7 Sam Betty, 6 Chris Jones, 5 Dean Schofield (c), 4 James Percival, 3 John Andress, 2 Aleki Lutui, 1 Matt Mullan.
Replacements: 16 Ollie Hayes, 17 Ceri Jones, 18 James Currie, 19 Craig Gillies, 20 Matt Kvesic, 21 Jonny Arr, 22 Joe Carlisle, 23 Ben Howard.
Bath: 15 Nick Abendanon, 14 Tom Biggs, 13 Dan Hipkiss, 12 Matt Banahan, 11 Kyle Eastmond, 10 Olly Barkley, 9 Michael Claassens, 8 Ben Skirving, 7 Francois Louw, 6 Carl Fearns, 5 Dominic Day, 4 Stuart Hooper (c), 3 David Wilson, 2 Lee Mears, 1 Paul James.
Replacements: 16 Ross Batty, 17 Nathan Catt, 18 Kane Palma-Newport, 19 Dave Attwood, 20 Will Skuse, 21 Mark McMillan, 22 Ollie Devoto, 23 Jack Cuthbert