Worcester Warriors have named a strong line-up for the difficult European Challenge Cup away clash with ASM Clermont-Auvergne tomorrow (3pm).
Thinus Delport, Marcel Garvey, Simon Whatling, James Collins, Phil Murphy, Tevita Taumoepeau, Ben Gotting and Darren Morris come in, with replacements Shane Drahm, Nick Runciman and Chris Fortey added to the squad that defeated Viadana 25-7 in the opening Pool 5 match at Sixways last Saturday.
Pat Sanderson is rested as he completes his recovery from a bruised shoulder ahead of England’s autumn international programme, while Craig Gillies is also close to fitness following a knee injury.
“We’re mindful of the fact that we have to be a lot more clinical in our use of possession on Saturday than we were against Viadana,” says director of rugby John Brain.
“This is an extremely difficult match. They’re second in the French league and haven’t lost at home. Not many teams go there and win. We’re capable of doing that, but it’s going to be a real battle. The emphasis for us is to play a mature game, get a platform for the forwards and front up.”
Team: 01 Darren Morris, 02 Ben Gotting, 03 Tevita Taumoepeau, 04 Richard Blaze, 05 Phil Murphy, 06 Kai Horstmann (c), 07 James Collins, 08 Drew Hickey, 09 Ryan Powell, 10 James Brown, 11 Marcel Garvey, 12 Simon Whatling, 13 Thomas Lombard, 14 Thinus Delport, 15 Lee Best
Replacements: 16 Lee Fortey, 17 Chris Fortey, 18 Tim Collier, 19 Gavin Quinnell, 20 Nick Runciman, 21 Shane Drahm, 22 Mark Tucker