TEAM NEWS | Hougaard returns for Irish test
Springbok scrum-half Francois Hougaard returns to the Warriors side for this Sunday’s Aviva Premiership Round 16 clash with London Irish at the Madejski Stadium (kick-off 1pm).
Hougaard is one of two changes to the starting line-up which beat Gloucester Rugby at Sixways last weekend, with Alafoti Faosiliva replacing Scotland international David Denton in the back row.
Hougaard is joined by 20-year-old Jamie Shillcock in the half-back combination while Ryan Mills and Jackson Willison keep their places in the centre for the ninth consecutive Premiership game.
Warriors and Premiership top tryscorer Josh Adams starts again in a potent back three which includes Bryce Heem and Chris Pennell.
The pack sees Ethan Waller, Jack Singleton and Nick Schonert line up in the front row while skipper Donncha O’Callaghan is partnered by the in-form Darren Barry in the second row.
Faosiliva joins Sam Lewis and GJ van Velze in the back row, with the latter making his 60th Club appearance – in which all have been starts.
Will Spencer has recovered from illness to make the replacements as Warriors opt for six forwards on the bench.
Alan Solomons’ side will be looking to win three Premiership games in a row for the first time since March 2016, where they defeated Newcastle Falcons, Gloucester, Harlequins and London Irish.
Warriors
15 Chris Pennell
14 Bryce Heem
13 Jackson Willison
12 Ryan Mills
11 Josh Adams
10 Jamie Shillcock
9 Francois Hougaard
1 Ethan Waller
2 Jack Singleton
3 Nick Schonert
4 Donncha O’Callaghan (C)
5 Darren Barry
6 Alafoti Faosiliva
7 Sam Lewis
8 GJ van Velze
Replacements
16 Kurt Haupt
17 Ryan Bower
18 Gareth Milasinovich
19 Anton Bresler
20 Will Spencer
21 Matt Cox
22 Jonny Arr
23 Dean Hammond
| Competition: | Aviva Premiership Rugby |
| Venue: | Madejski Stadium |
| Referee: | JP Doyle |
| Game Type: | Away |
| Fixture Round: | 16 |
| Attendance: | 5,250 |
| No. | Name | T | C | D | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | James Marshall | ||||
| 14 | Joe Cokanasiga | ||||
| 13 | Tom Fowlie | ||||
| 12 | Johnny Williams | ||||
| 11 | Alex Lewington | ||||
| 10 | Greig Tonks | 1C | 5P | ||
| 9 | Piet van Zyl | 1T | |||
| 1 | Ben Franks | ||||
| 2 | David Paice | ||||
| 3 | Oli Hoskins | ||||
| 4 | Franco van der Merwe | ||||
| 5 | Filo Paulo | ||||
| 6 | Arno Botha | ||||
| 7 | Conor Gilsenan | ||||
| 8 | Ofisa Treviranus | ||||
| Replacements | |||||
| 16 | Dave Porecki | ||||
| 17 | Harry Elrington | ||||
| 18 | Petrus du Plessis | ||||
| 19 | Sebastian de Chaves | ||||
| 20 | Jake Schatz | ||||
| 21 | Scott Steele | ||||
| 22 | Tommy Bell | ||||
| 23 | Aseli Tikoirotuma | ||||
| No. | Name | T | C | D | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | Josh Adams | ||||
| 14 | Bryce Heem | ||||
| 13 | Chris Pennell | 3P | |||
| 12 | Ryan Mills | ||||
| 11 | Dean Hammond | ||||
| 10 | Jamie Shillcock | ||||
| 9 | Francois Hougaard | ||||
| 1 | Ethan Waller | ||||
| 2 | Kurt Haupt | ||||
| 3 | Nick Schonert | ||||
| 4 | Donncha O'Callaghan | ||||
| 5 | Darren Barry | ||||
| 6 | Alafoti Faosiliva | ||||
| 7 | Sam Lewis | ||||
| 8 | GJ van Velze | ||||
| Replacements | |||||
| 16 | Matti Williams | ||||
| 17 | Ryan Bower | ||||
| 18 | Gareth Milasinovich | ||||
| 19 | Anton Bresler | ||||
| 20 | Will Spencer | ||||
| 21 | Matt Cox | ||||
| 22 | Jonny Arr | ||||
| 23 | Tom Howe | ||||