Worcester v Montpellier: Teams

Worcester will gamble on Rico Gear at outside centre as they look to defeat Montpellier in the opening club fixture of this term's European rugby season.

The New Zealand international shifts one position following his first start of the Guinness Premiership term at Welford Road, while Marcel Garvey returns to take his place on the wing.

Director of rugby Mike Ruddock has given Jonny Arr his first start of the season but has rested Alex Grove and Sam Tuitupou for this Amlin Challenge Cup match.

A new-look front-row will also give Shaun Ruwers a first start of the campaign with Aleki Lutui and Matt Mullan restored to the XV after coming on from the bench against Leicester last week.

Locks Graham Kitchener and Will Bowley are paired at lock for the game while Pat Sanderson captains the English outfit from the flank.

Meanwhile, Montpellier have made a number of changes to the team that lost to Toulouse last week.

The visiting starting line-up gives the distinct impression that the Heraultais are more focused on reviving their fortunes in the Top 14 than making a challenge in Europe - there is no sign of French internationals François Trinh-Duc, Julien Tomas or Fulgence Ouedraogo.

Tomas' younger brother Adrien starts at scrum-half to partner Argentine fly-half Federico Todeschini.

Worcester: 15 Chris Latham, 14 Marcel Garvey, 13 Rico Gear, 12 Dale Rasmussen, 11 Miles Benjamin, 10 Willie Walker, 9 Jonny Arr, 8 Netani Talei, 7 Pat Sanderson, 6 Tom Wood, 5 Graham Kitchener, 4 Will Bowley, 3 Shaun Ruwers, 2 Aleki Lutui, 1 Matt Mullan.
Replacements: 16 Adam Black, 17 Jordan Page, 18 Tevita Taumoepeau, 19 Craig Gillies, 20 Matt Cox, 21 Ryan Powell, 22 Joe Carlisle, 23 Greg King.

Montpellier: 15 Jaques Schutte, 14 Manoel Dall'inga, 13 Ollie Smith, 12 Florian Nicot, 11 Adrien Pratmarty, 10 Federico Todeschini, 9 Adrien Tomas, 8 Marc Giraud, 7 Jerome Vallée, 6 Vassili Bost, 5 Michel Macurdy, 4 Mickael Demarco, 3 Bruce Douglas, 2 Mickael Ladhuie, 1 Eugene Van Staden.
Replacements: 16 Joan Caudullo, 17 Na'ama Leleimalefaga, 18 Drickus Hancke, 19 Maxime Castell, 20 Mathieu Petitdemange, 21 Sebastien Max, 22 Jean Matthieu Alcalde, 23 Kevin Kervarec.