TEAM NEWS: Two changes to Warriors for Tigers battle

Director of Rugby Dean Ryan makes two changes to the starting line-up ahead of Saturday’s Aviva Premiership clash with Leicester Tigers at Sixways (kick-off 3pm).

Tighthead prop Joe Rees, who bagged his first professional try at Twickenham last weekend, comes in for Nick Schonert while Matt Cox returns to the back-row in place of GJ van Velze. 

Phil Dowson will skipper the side at number eight with Cox and Sam Betty supporting him in the back row. 

In the pack, Na’ama Leleimalefaga lines up at loosehead prop next to Niall Annett and Rees while Donncha O’Callaghan and Darren Barry keep their spots in the second row. 

The backline remains unchanged with the potent back three of Chris Pennell, Bryce Heem and Cooper Vuna, while Ryan Mills and Wynand Olivier start in the centre. 

Jonny Arr continues at scrum-half after having signed a new contract with the Club earlier this week, while Tom Heathcote will look to pull the strings from the number ten berth. 

Academy prop Gareth Milasinovich and flanker Marco Mama are named on the bench. 

Ryan said: “All the big top four are coming in the next few weeks and over Christmas so let’s keep putting ourselves out there and let’s keep seeing where we are at and keep improving. 

“We are at home and unbeaten at Sixways this season so let’s get ourselves out there. 

“Leicester are not as clinical at certain things as Saracens but they are very physical at other areas. 

“There’s a lot of talk about changes to their game but they don’t lose what Leicester are. The reason why they have been so successful is built on pretty solid foundations of physicality in key areas and I don’t expect that to change.”

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Warriors
15 Chris Pennell
14 Bryce Heem
13 Wynand Olivier
12 Ryan Mills
11 Cooper Vuna
10 Tom Heathcote
9 Jonny Arr
1 Na’ama Leleimalefaga
2 Niall Annett
3 Joe Rees
4 Donncha O’Callaghan 
5 Darren Barry 
6 Matt Cox
7 Sam Betty
8 Phil Dowson (C)

Replacements
16 Jaba Bregvadze
17 Val Rapava Ruskin
18 Gareth Milasinovich
19 Tevita Cavubati
20 Marco Mama
21 Charlie Mulchrone
22 Ryan Lamb
23 Ben Howard


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