TEAM NEWS | Hougaard and Mills return for Saints battle

Duo Francois Hougaard and Ryan Mills are both set for a return to action this Saturday as Warriors take on Northampton Saints at Sixways in the Aviva Premiership (kick-off 1pm).

Springbok Hougaard is set for his first appearance of the season after missing the start of the campaign through international duty and injury and links up with Jono Lance in the half-back combination.

Meanwhile, Mills is back in the side after a quad injury sustained in September against Gloucester Rugby, and partners Jackson Willison in the centres.

Chris Pennell is restored to the starting line-up at full-back and joins a back three which includes Bryce Heem and Josh Adams.

In the pack, Ethan Waller starts in the front row against his old club next to Jack Singleton and Nick Schonert, with the latter making his first Premiership appearance since picking up an ankle injury against Wasps in early September.

Skipper Donncha O’Callaghan and Will Spencer form the second row while GJ van Velze makes his comeback from concussion in the back row alongside Alafoti Faosiliva and Sam Lewis.

Matti Williams is among the replacements as he recovers from a fractured hand, while Gareth Milasinovich, Michael Dowsett, Sam Olver and Dean Hammond are all rewarded with a place in the squad after impressing in the recent cup competitions.

In fact, winger Hammond has scored eight tries in eight appearances this season (one game for Worcester Cavaliers), scoring a try on average every 50 minutes, including a brace off the bench at Harlequins in Warriors’ last Premiership outing and a hat-trick at The Stoop in last weekend’s Anglo-Welsh Cup clash.

Tickets are available for this match by clicking here, calling 01905 459309 or visiting the Ticket Office.

Warriors
15 Chris Pennell
14 Bryce Heem
13 Jackson Willison
12 Ryan Mills
11 Josh Adams
10 Jono Lance
9 Francois Hougaard
1 Ethan Waller
2 Jack Singleton
3 Nick Schonert
4 Donncha O’Callaghan (C)
5 Will Spencer
6 Alafoti Faosiliva
7 Sam Lewis
8 GJ van Velze

Replacements
16 Matti Williams
17 Ryan Bower
18 Gareth Milasinovich
19 Pierce Phillips
20 Christian Scotland-Williamson
21 Michael Dowsett
22 Sam Olver
23 Dean Hammond