Matt Mullan has been named as a replacement for England Saxons ahead of the side’s clash against O2 Ireland Wolfhounds tomorrow night.
The 25-year-old is one of six full internationals named in the matchday squad along with Paul Doran-Jones (Northampton Saints), Joe Simpson (London Wasps), Jordan Turner-Hall (Harlequins), Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens) and Jordon Crane (Leicester Tigers).
Crane will captain the side after steering his club into the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup last weekend.
Head Coach Jon Callard said: “This is a dynamic young side with an average age of less than 24 and the players have a chance to show that they can play a major part of the future of England Rugby over the coming years. The blend of forward power and pace in the back line makes it an exciting one to be involved with.
“We’re facing an experienced Irish side in this opening game and the challenge is to step-up and deliver a high-quality performance in front of a passionate crowd in Galway.”
Mullan has made 12 appearances for Warriors this season and became a club centurion against Femi-CZ VEA Rovigo in October.
After facing the Wolfhounds away from home the Saxons return to England to take on Scotland A at Newcastle on Friday 1 February.
England Saxons side to face 02 Ireland Wolfhounds
15 Elliot Daly (London Wasps)
14 Christian Wade (London Wasps)
13 Joel Tomkins (Saracens)
12 Jordan Turner-Hall (Harlequins)
11 Tom Biggs (Bath Rugby)
10 George Ford (Leicester Tigers)
9 Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens)
1 Nick Wood (Gloucester Rugby)
2 Joe Gray (Harlequins)
3 Paul Doran-Jones (Northampton Saints)
4 Graham Kitchener (Leicester Tigers)
5 George Robson (Harlequins)
6 George Kruis (Saracens)
7 Will Fraser (Saracens)
8 Jordan Crane (Leicester Tigers, captain)
Replacements:
16 Rob Buchanan (Harlequins)
17 Matt Mullan (Worcester Warriors)
18 Shaun Knight (Gloucester Rugby)
19 Ed Slater (Leicester Tigers)
20 Jamie Gibson (London Irish)
21 Joe Simpson (London Wasps)
22 George Lowe (Harlequins)
23 Kyle Eastmond (Bath Rugby)