TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Dowson to lead Warriors

Summer signing Phil Dowson will captain Warriors in Saturday’s game against the Barbarians at Sixways (kick-off 3pm).

Dowson is one of six players that have joined this summer to be named in Dean Ryan's starting 15. 

In the backs, supporters will get a first glimpse of new half-back combination Tom Heathcote and Luke Baldwin while Andy Short will play for Warriors for the first time since rejoining the Club this summer. 

In the forward pack, Na’ama Leleimalefaga, Carl Kirwan and Dowson are all set to make their debuts too. 

Recent signing Marco Mama and new Academy lock Charlie Hewitt could also step out for Warriors for the first time if they appear from the bench. 

Fans’ favourite Chris Pennell will feature at Sixways for the first time since his last-minute try against Bristol Rugby helped Warriors back to the Aviva Premiership, while Cooper Vuna, Max Stelling and Ryan Mills complete the backline. 

Dan George and Joe Rees occupy the front-row with Dan Sanderson and Darren O’Shea in the second-row, while there is a place at flanker for Matt Cox.

Tickets are still available for the game by calling 01905 459309 and from the Box Office on matchday.

Meanwhile, the Barbarians have named an experienced side including 2011 Rugby World Cup winner Ali Williams and fellow All Blacks Carl Hayman and Adam Thomson.

Australian prop Benn Robinson and South African internationals Pierre Spies and Wynand Olivier also start for the Baa-Baas, who defeated Samoa last weekend. 

Warriors
15 Chris Pennell
14 Andy Short
13 Max Stelling
12 Ryan Mills
11 Cooper Vuna
10 Tom Heathcote
9 Luke Baldwin
1 Na’ama Leleimalefaga
2 Dan George
3 Joe Rees
4 Dan Sanderson
5 Darren O’Shea
6 Matt Cox
7 Carl Kirwan
8 Phil Dowson (C)

Replacements
16 Ben Sowrey
17 Val Rapava Ruskin
18 Mike Daniels
19 Charlie Hewitt
20 Marco Mama
21 Charlie Mulchrone
22 Alex Grove
23 Ben Howard

Barbarians 
15 Dwayne Sweeney (Munakata Sanix Blues)
14 Tom English (Melbourne Rebels)
13 Ben Tapuai (Western Force & Australia, 7 caps)
12 Wynand Olivier (Montpellier & South Africa, 38 caps)
11. Dom Shipperley (Melbourne Rebels & Australia, 3 caps)
10 Mike Harris (Melbourne Rebels & Australia, 10 caps)
9 Paul Griffen (Calvisano & Italy, 42 caps)
1 Benn Robinson (Waratahs & Australia, 72 caps)
2 Tolu Latu (Waratahs)
3 Carl Hayman (New Zealand, 45 caps)
4 Luke Jones (Melbourne Rebels & Australia, 3 caps)
5 Ali Williams (New Zealand,77 caps) 
6 Adam Thomson (Queensland Reds & New Zealand, 29 caps)
7 Todd Clever (Old Mission & USA, 63 caps)
8 Pierre Spies (Blue Bulls & South Africa, 53 caps)

Replacements
16 Eusebio Guinazu (Munster & Argentina, 36 caps)
17 Kyle Traynor (Bristol Rugby & Scotland, 4 caps)
18 Lorenzo Romano (Viadana & Italy, 2 caps)
19 Anibal Panceyra-Garrido (Tala)
20 Allister Hogg (Newcastle Falcons & Scotland, 48 caps)
21 Fabio Semenzato (Benetton Treviso & Italy, 12 caps)
22 Roberto Quartaroli (Fiamme Oro & Italy, 5 caps)
23 Aled Brew (Newport Gwent Dragons & Wales, 9 caps)


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