Mike Ruddock has confirmed that former New Zealand international Rico Gear will make his comeback from injury when Worcester Warriors travel to face Petrarca Rugby in the European Challenge Cup on Saturday (kick-off 3pm local time).
Gear has been ruled out of action with an Achilles injury since the opening league clash with Northampton Saints in early September but will return on the wing for the trip to Italy in Pool 3.
Last year’s runners-up in the competition also welcome back Matt Powell at scrum half as the club aim to make a winning start in the tournament this season.
Director of Rugby Ruddock, who also brings Tevita Taumoepeau in at prop and Tom Wood into the back row, has warned his side not to underestimate their Italian hosts.
“I feel Italian rugby is improving and there are a lot of good coaches out there, we won’t underestimate Petrarca Rugby, it will be tough,” he said.
“Rugby in Italy is on the up and this will be like a cup final for them as we are their first opponents. They will be fired up and it will be like when we went to Bucuresti last season, they will be really up for a game and wanting to show how good they are and how far they have progressed as a nation.”
Warriors will be without Pat Sanderson (leg), Hal Luscombe (knee), Marcel Garvey (hip), Will Bowley (thumb), Kai Horstmann (knee), Miles Benjamin (virus), Chris Pennell (groin) and the suspended Chris Horsman.
Dale Rasmussen (knee) also misses the match but Ruddock is full of praise for Alex Grove who will take his spot at outside centre.
“The emergence of young Alex Grove has been very pleasing,” he added. “I felt he was excellent against London Irish, for a young man he showed a lot of physicality, skills and his composure was very good.”
Warriors were also forced into a late change with Jake Abbott ruled out and his place in the back row taken by Matt Cox. Joe Carlisle comes onto the replacements bench.
Warriors v Petrarca Rugby
15 Chris Latham (c)
14 Rico Gear
13 Alex Grove
12 Sam Tuitupou
11 Charlie Fellows
10 Matthew Jones
9 Matt Powell
1 Darren Morris
2 Chris Fortey
3 Tevita Taumoepeau
4 Graham Kitchener
5 Craig Gillies
6 Tom Wood
7 Matt Cox
8 Netani Talei
16 Callum Black
17 Aleki Lutui
18 Shaun Ruwers
19 Greg Rawlinson
20 Joe Carlisle
21 Ryan Powell
22 Loki Crichton