Worcester Cavaliers will look to bounce back from last week’s defeat at Sale Sharks Under 23s when they visit Cambridge University at Grange Road tonight (kick-off 7.15pm).
Academy Manager Mark Hewitt makes four changes to the side that were pipped 26-23 in the last minute in Manchester, with Bromsgrove School student Blake Edwards starting on the wing.
An all-change front row sees Ryan Bower (captain), Ben Sowrey and Joe Morris (King’s Aston) stepping in.
A strong backline sees Perry Humphreys and Josh Adams at full-back and wing respectively, while Max Stelling and Ravai Fatiaki line-up in the centre and will come up against Wales international Jamie Roberts.
Academy starlets Andrew Kitchener and Sam Ripper-Smith are named in the pack alongside the experience of lock Dan Sanderson, flanker Carl Kirwan and number eight Mat Gilbert.
Hewitt said: “We were disappointed to end up on the wrong end of the result last week after a battling display.
“This week poses a different kind of test and one which will challenge these players to perform at the top of their game and put pressure on those in the first team.”
Worcester Cavaliers
15 Perry Humphreys
14 Josh Adams
13 Max Stelling
12 Ravai Fatiaki
11 Blake Edwards (Bromsgrove School)
10 Jamie Shillcock
9 Josh Nott
1 Ryan Bower (C)
2 Ben Sowrey
3 Joe Morris (King’s Aston)
4 Dan Sanderson
5 Andrew Kitchener
6 Sam Ripper-Smith
7 Carl Kirwan
8 Mat Gilbert
Replacements
16 Jack Singleton
17 Derrick Appiah
18 James Page
19 Charlie Hewitt
20 Jack Helme (Hereford Cathedral)
21 Will Butler (Hereford Cathedral)
22 Ollie Allsopp (Malvern College)