WORCESTER Warriors have made four changes for Sunday’s vital Aviva Premiership clash with Bristol at Sixways (3pm).
Chris Pennell is set to start at full-back for the first time since the return fixture at Ashton Gate on Boxing Day, while the in-form Josh Adams moves to the wing.
Elsewhere, the backline remains unchanged but Val Rapava Ruskin, Chris Vui and Marco Mama are all brought into the forward pack for Sunday’s big game.
Rapava Ruskin returns to the front row following a back problem, while number eight Mama will make his first Premiership start since September as he gets set to battle his former club.
Chris Vui is also restored to the back row after shaking off a knock.
Ryan Lamb is named at replacement fly-half, having last played Bristol in May 2015, where his last-minute kick of the game sealed Warriors’ promotion back to the Premiership.
Mark Tainton keeps faith with the majority of the Bristol side who overcame Bath at Ashton Gate last weekend.
Bristol make one change to the starting line-up as Anthony Perenise (hamstring) is replaced by Gaston Cortes.
Tainton said: “There’s been plenty of physicality and intent in our preparations leading into this important game at Sixways – we’re in a good place and the guys selected are looking forward to getting out there.
“The key for us is to back up last week’s performance with another committed display. We have prepared well and know we will be supported by a noisy travelling contingent.”
Warriors
15 Chris Pennell
14 Bryce Heem
13 Wynand Olivier
12 Jackson Willison
11 Josh Adams
10 Ryan Mills
9 Francois Hougaard
1 Val Rapava Ruskin
2 Niall Annett
3 Nick Schonert
4 Donncha O’Callaghan (C)
5 Will Spencer
6 Chris Vui
7 Sam Lewis
8 Marco Mama
Replacements
16 Joe Taufete’e
17 Ryan Bower
18 Biyi Alo
19 Tevita Cavubati
20 Dewald Potgieter
21 Luke Baldwin
22 Ryan Lamb
23 Perry Humphreys
Bristol
15 Jason Woodward
14 David Lemi
13 Will Hurrell
12 Siale Piutau
11 Tom Varndell
10 Gavin Henson
9 Alby Mathewson
1 Ryan Bevington
2 Marc Jones
3 Gaston Cortes
4 Ian Evans
5 Dan Tuohy
6 Mitch Eadie
7 Jack Lam
8 Jordan Crane (c).
Replacements
16 Max Crumpton
17 Jack O’Connell
18 Jamal Ford-Robinson
19 Sam Jeffries
20 Nick Fenton-Wells
21 Rhodri Williams,
22 Tusi Pisi
23 Jack Wallace
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