Wales international prop Chris Horsman makes his first Guinness Premiership start of the season for Worcester Warriors as they travel to Leeds Carnegie on Friday night (kick-off 8pm).
Front row ace Horsman missed the start of the campaign as he was away on World Cup duty but now returns to the staring line-up for the crunch clash at Headingley Carnegie. Tevita Taumoepeau moves to the bench.
Director of Rugby Mike Ruddock has also altered the other side of his front row combination with prop Tony Windo replacing Darren Morris for his second start in the top-flight this campaign.
Ruddock has made a total of three changes to the side that narrowly lost to Saracens with scrum half Matt Powell also replacing namesake Ryan.
World Cup stars Aleki Lutui and Loki Crichton, who could make his Warriors debut at Leeds after his summer switch, are named on a powerful looking bench after returning from France.
“They are all tough games and must-win in this league – but this clash is a big one,” said Ruddock.
“We can’t hide from the fact that we are the two teams towards the bottom of the league so there is a lot at stake and a lot to gain for one team. We are looking to put in a really big performance.
“We are bolstered by the guys coming back from the World Cup. They have bought a lot of enthusiasm into the training environment from their experiences in France.”
Warriors v Leeds Carnegie
15 Shane Drahm
14 Thinus Delport
13 Dale Rasmussen
12 Mark Tucker
11 Marcel Garvey
10 James Brown
9 Matt Powell
1 Tony Windo
2 Chris Fortey
3 Chris Horsman
4 Phil Murphy
5 Craig Gillies
6 Drew Hickey
7 Pat Sanderson (c)
8 Kai Horstmann
16 Darren Morris
17 Tevita Taumoepeau
18 Aleki Lutui
19 Will Bowley
20 Gavin Quinnell
21 Ryan Powell
22 Loki Crichton