Worcester v Exeter: Teams
Craig Gillies is one of three changes as Worcester prepare to face high-flying Exeter at Sixways Stadium on Saturday.
Last Updated: 13/04/12 3:49pm
Craig Gillies is one of three changes for Worcester Warriors as they host high-flying Exeter Chiefs in the Aviva Premiership at Sixways Stadium on Saturday.
The vastly-experienced Gillies is recalled to join James Percival in the second row with Chris Jones (concussion) ruled out of the top-flight clash.
Miles Benjamin is also fit to return on the wing after sitting out the last game with Leicester Tigers.
Flanker Neil Best will start for the first time since November after recovering from a broken arm and joins Matt Kvesic, who celebrates his 20th birthday on match day, and Blair Cowan in the back row.
Prop George Porter and second row Ben Gulliver both win call-ups to the replacements' bench.
"We haven't made too many changes and have looked to the team that has done well here in victories over Gloucester, Saracens and Newcastle," explained head coach Richard Hill.
"The front five of Matt Mullan, Aleki Lutui, Tevita Taumoepeau, James Percival and Chris Jones have all performed strongly as a unit to keep some very good players out of the starting line-up.
"However, we do make one change as Craig Gillies comes in for Chris Jones, after he suffered concussion against Leicester.
"Exeter have really impressed me throughout the season and really backed up the first year in the Aviva Premiership. Rob Baxter and his coaching team have really got the team playing as a unit and producing exciting rugby."
Hill's conterpart, Exeter coach Rob Baxter, has been forced into changes in his starting line-up.
Welsh international Craig Mitchell injured his shoulder during the Stade game, so Hoani Tui moves across the front-row to fill the void at tight-head and Ben Moon is promoted from the bench. Brett Sturgess - who broke his arm in the home game against Leicester Tigers in February - is added to the squad.
The other change comes in the backs where Luke Arscott returns for the first time since the Perpignan game in January at full-back. Phil Dollman, who has replaced Arscott in the number 15 jersey, slots into the midfield alongside Bryan Rennie as Jason Shoemark is ruled out with injury.
Worcester Warriors: 15 Chris Pennell, 14 Marcel Garvey, 13 Alex Grove, 12 Dale Rasmussen, 11 Miles Benjamin, 10 Andy Goode, 9 Shaun Perry (c), 8 Blair Cowan, 7 Matt Kvesic, 6 Neil Best, 5 Craig Gillies, 4 James Percival, 3 Tevita Taumoepeau, 2 Aleki Lutui, 1 Matt Mullan
Replacements: 16 Ed Shervington, 17 George Porter, 18 Bruce Douglas, 19 Ben Gulliver, 20 Kai Horstmann, 21 Jonny Arr, 22 Danny Gray, 23 Ravai Fatiaki
Exeter Chiefs:15 Luke Arscott, 14 Gonzalo Camacho, 13 Bryan Rennie, 12 Phil Dollman, 11 Matt Jess, 10 Ignacio Mieres, 9 Haydn Thomas, 8 Richard Baxter, 7 James Scaysbrook, 6 Tom Johnson, 5 James Hanks, 4 Tom Hayes (capt), 3 Hoani Tui, 2 Chris Whitehead, 1 Ben Moon
Replacements: 16 Neil Clark, 17 Brett Sturgess, 18 Chris Budgen, 19 Aly Muldowney, 20 Ben White 21 Kevin Barrett, 22 Gareth Steenson, 23 Sireli Naqelevuki