Worcester v Bristol: Teams
Worcester skipper Pat Sanderson returns to the Warriors starting line-up as his team take on Bristol on Saturday.
By Joe Drabble
Last Updated: 25/01/08 1:46pm
Worcester are boosted by the news that influential skipper Pat Sanderson is back in the starting line-up as his side search for their first Guinnesss Premiership win of the season against Bristol.
Sanderson was rested for the recent European Challenge Cup victory over Bucuresti but is back at the Sixways Stadium for Saturday's top-flight encounter.
Loose forward Kai Horstmann also returns after an ankle injury and is set to play at number eight - with Drew Hickey moving to blindside flanker.
Worcester coach Mike Ruddock has handed Tonga international Aleki Lutui the hooker jersey and Darren Morris will play at loose head prop.
Fijian international Netani Talei is set to feature after recovering from a knee injury - and is named amongst the replacements.
"We have enjoyed our last few games in Europe but we realise there is a big step up to the Guinness Premiership and we must raise our game to face Bristol," said Ruddock.
"Bristol are a fine side, it was a fantastic achievement that they finished in the top four last season and they dismantled Warriors when they came here on the opening day last year.
"It's going to be a tough challenge for us."
Bristol coach Richard Hill has a near fully-fit squad to choose from as his side return to domestic action after their recent Heineken Cup fixtures.
Centre Neil Brew is ruled out with a knee injury which he suffered in the european clash with Cardiff Blues. All Black David Hill comes in at inside centre to partner Rob Higgitt.
The other change to the backs sees Scotland international scrum-half Graeme Beveridge replace Brian O'Riordan with the Irishman having to settle for a place on the bench.
Desperate
The only change to the pack sees Darren Crompton starting at tighthead in place of Jason Hobson who has received a England Saxons call up .
One key change amongst the replacements sees Lee Robinson named in the matchday squad for the first time since early December.
With Leeds Carnegie breathing heavily down the Warriors necks at the foot of the table - Worcester will be desperate to register their first win of the campaign.
With Heineken Cup qualification places at stake, a win for Bristol will go a long way to help them achieve that feat.
Bristol assistant coach John Brain is making his first return to Sixways since leaving last summer - and he knows that Worcester will be determined to get their first win on the board.
"There's no hangover from Sunday. We're excited about Worcester, it's always good to get back to the Premiership which is our bread and butter," said Brain.
"Our last outing against Saracens went well and we know that if we play well against Worcester and win then we have the opportunity to move up the table as the teams immediately above us have difficult matches.
"Worcester have had a difficult start to the season and we'll be looking to compound that.
"They obviously envisaged that the foreign imports coming in around November time would make a difference and their performances have improved but they've yet to win although they should have won at Newcastle.
"So, they'll be desperate to beat us for a number of reasons. They won't want to get to the halfway mark without a win. It can get claustrophic the longer you go without a win so I think all the pressure is on them."
Worcester: 15 Thinus Delport, 14 Rico Gear, 13 Dale Rasmussen, 12 Sam Tuitupou, 11 Miles Benjamin, 10 Loki Crichton, 9 Matt Powell, 8 Kai Horstmann, 7 Pat Sanderson (c), 6 Drew Hickey, 5 Craig Gillies, 4 Greg Rawlinson, 3 Tevita Taumoepeau, 2 Aleki Lutui, 1 Darren Morris
Replacements: 16 Callum Black, 17 Matt Mullan, 18 Will Bowley, 19 Netani Talei, 20 Ryan Powell, 21 James Brown, 22 Chris Pennell
Bristol: 15 Luke Arscott, 14 Tom Arscott, 13 Rob Higgitt, 12 David Hill, 11 Anthony Elliott, 10 Jason Strange, 9 Graeme Beveridge, 8 Andrew Blowers, 7 Alfie To'oala, 6 Matt Salter (c), 5 Sean Hohneck, 4 Roy Winters, 3 Darren Crompton, 2 Mark Regan, 1 Alex Clarke,
Replacements: 16 Scott Linklater, 17 Jason Hobson, 18 Gareth Llewellyn, 19 Joe El Abd, 20 Brian O'Riordan, 21 Josh Taumalolo, 22 Lee Robinson