Back row giant Gavin Quinnell is handed his first start of the Guinness Premiership season as Worcester Warriors travel to Leicester Tigers on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).
Quinnell is one of seven changes made by Director of Rugby Mike Ruddock for the Welford Road clash as Warriors hunt a first win in the top-flight this season.
The front row is completely changed for the trip to Leicester with Tongan powerhouse hooker Aleki Lutui handed his first league start of the campaign after impressing after coming off the bench at Leeds Carnegie.
Darren Morris is handed the loosehead prop position against his former club and Tevita Taumoepeau will play at tighthead with Chris Horsman ruled out of action until February after surgery this week on his damaged arm.
Ruddock has also teamed up Ryan Powell and Loki Crichton as his new half-back pairing and admitted he had been delighted with the form of his new Samoan recruit since he arrived at Sixways Stadium.
“We definitely start with Loki having seen the way he performed against Leeds,” said Ruddock.
“We put him on the bench as he had only just arrived in the country and learned our calls, but when he came on he was composed and showed authority and leadership. I’ve been very impressed with him all week.”
The final change sees lock Will Bowley start in the second row in place of Phil Murphy. Centre Dominic Feaunati is unavailable for selection due to his hamstring injury but is expected to be fit for selection for the cup clash with Ospreys next Saturday.
“There is great spirit and morale in the team, I can’t fault the guys in terms of their commitment and desire to get it right,” added Ruddock.
“It’s just about doing things well all the time under pressure, we need to push on starting at Leicester.”
Warriors v Leicester Tigers
15 Shane Drahm
14 Marcel Garvey
13 Dale Rasmussen
12 Mark Tucker
11 Thinus Delport
10 Loki Crichton
9 Ryan Powell
1 Darren Morris
2 Aleki Lutui
3 Tevita Taumoepeau
4 Will Bowley
5 Craig Gillies
6 Drew Hickey
7 Pat Sanderson (c)
8 Gavin Quinnell
16 Tony Windo
17 Ben Gotting
18 Phil Murphy
19 Kai Horstmann
20 Matt Powell
21 James Brown
22 Miles Benjamin