Lock Greg Rawlinson will skipper Worcester Warriors as they travel to Romania to face Bucuresti Oaks in the European Challenge Cup on Sunday (kick-off 4.30pm local time).
Former New Zealand international Rawlinson returns in the second row, in place of Graham Kitchener, as Director of Rugby Mike Ruddock makes six changes to the side that won the opening game in the pool stages last weekend.
Australian full back Chris Latham is rested this weekend to recover from a bruised hand and so Samoan international Loki Crichton is handed the No.15 jersey.
Miles Benjamin returns on the wing, after missing the clash with Petrarca Rugby due to illness, and Ryan Powell is named at scrum half.
Prop Matt Mullan and Tongan hooker Aleki Lutui complete the changes as they play in the front row while Academy product Jordan Page is among the replacements with Chris Fortey (ribs) ruled out.
Warriors return to Romania for a second successive season in the competition and Ruddock is hoping for better conditions this season after last year’s game was hit by awful conditions.
“I’ve looked at the weather over there,” he said. “It looks good, sunny, no wind, and a good temperature.
“Hopefully that will help us to play good rugby, move it around and get outside the physical contest they will thrive on.”
Warriors v Bucuresti Oaks
15 Loki Crichton
14 Rico Gear
13 Alex Grove
12 Sam Tuitupou (v/c)
11 Miles Benjamin
10 Matthew Jones
9 Ryan Powell
1 Matt Mullan
2 Aleki Lutui
3 Tevita Taumoepeau
4 Greg Rawlinson (c)
5 Craig Gillies
6 Tom Wood
7 Matt Cox
8 Netani Talei
16 Darren Morris
17 Jordan Page
18 Graham Kitchener
19 James Collins
20 Matt Powell
21 Joe Carlisle
22 Charlie Fellows