Worcester v Gloucester: Challenge Cup clash live on Sky Sports
Last Updated: 10/12/15 7:42pm
Worcester centre Andy Symons could make his comeback for the Warriors in their European Challenge Cup clash with Gloucester at Sixways on Thursday, live on Sky Sports 5 HD from 7pm.
Symons has been out of action since April after a knee injury prematurely ended a promising season for him.
"Symons has had a very intensive rehab programme and he's looking fit and sharp so we're looking forward to seeing him out there again on Thursday night," said Worcester head coach Carl Hogg.
Scrum-half Charlie Mulchrone will captain the side, while Tom Biggs starts on the wing and Matt Cox gets the nod at blindside flanker.
"We know we have to win our home games and Gloucester travel well and will be confident," added Hogg.
"But we know the challenge in front of us and it's one we're relishing."
Gloucester's Henry Trinder will make his first start since February after coming off the bench twice in recent weeks.
Scotland captain Greig Laidlaw also returns to skipper the Cherry and Whites as head coach Laurie Fisher rings the changes from the side who beat Sale in the Premiership last time out - with only blindside flanker Sione Kalamafoni retaining his place.
Gloucester lead the pool with two wins from two matches, while Worcester are third after their loss to Zebre in Parma.
Worcester: 15 Ben Howard, 14 Dean Hammond, 13 Alex Grove, 12 Andy Symons, 11 Tom Biggs, 10 Ryan Lamb, 9 Charlie Mulchrone (c); 1 Ryan Bower, 2 Jaba Bregvadze, 3 Gareth Milasinovich, 4 Dan Sanderson, 5 Darren O'Shea, 6 Matt Cox, 7 Carl Kirwan, 8 Marco Mama
Replacements: 16 Ben Sowrey, 17 Val Rapava Ruskin, 18 Mike Daniels, 19 Darren Barry, 20 Sam Betty, 21 Jonny Arr, 22 Tiff Eden.
Gloucester: 15 Steve McColl, 14 David Halaifonua, 13 Henry Trinder, 12 Mark Atkinson, 11 Henry Purdy, 10 Billy Burns, 9 Greig Laidlaw (capt), 1 Nick Wood, 2 Tom Lindsay, 3 Paul Doran-Jones, 4 Elliott Stooke, 5 Mariano Galarza, 6 Sione Kalamafoni, 7 Jacob Rowan, 8 Lewis Ludlow.
Replacements: 16 Darren Dawidiuk, 17 Yann Thomas, 18 Nicky Thomas, 19 Tom Hicks, 20 Dan Thomas, 21 Callum Braley, 22 Billy Twelvetrees, 23 Rob Cook.
Watch Worcester v Gloucester live on Sky Sports 2 HD on Thursday from 7pm. Catch the match for £6.99 on NOW TV. No contract.