TEAM NEWS | Cavaliers name side for Premiership Rugby Shield opener

Worcester Cavaliers have named their side to take on Newcastle Falcons in the Premiership Rugby Shield opener at Sixways on Monday night (kick-off 7.30pm).

Luke Baldwin will skipper the side as eight first-team players are named in the squad, along with five Academy youngsters and seven Hartpury players.

Tom Howe is joined by Mason Tonks and Noah Heward in the back three while Dean Hammond partners Hartpury’s Joe Margetts in the centres. Academy ten Luke Scully partners Baldwin in the half-back combination.

Kai Owen, Beck Cutting and Gareth Milasinovich start in the front row with James Scott partnering Hartpury lock Rob Fuller in the second row.

Zac Xiourouppa and Matt Cox are joined by Jamie Macartney in the back row while summer signing Farai Mudariki prepares to make his first Sixways showing from the replacements bench.

Entry to the game is FREE for Under 18s and Season Ticket holders with their Swipe Card, while being £7.50 for all others.

Worcester Cavaliers
15 Noah Heward (Solihull School)
14 Tom Howe
13 Dean Hammond
12 Joe Margetts (Hartpury)
11 Mason Tonks (Hartpury)
10 Luke Scully
9 Luke Baldwin (C)
1 Kai Owen
2 Beck Cutting
3 Gareth Milasinovich
4 James Scott
5 Rob Fuller (Hartpury)
6 Jamie Macartney (Hartpury)
7 Zac Xiourouppa
8 Matt Cox

Replacements
16 Jordan Liney (Hartpury)
17 Nick Rigby
18 Farai Mudariki
19 Max Katjijeko (Luctonians)
20 Ollie Walker (Hartpury)
21 Michael Heaney
22 Sam Hollingsworth (Birmingham Moseley)
23 Ervin Muric (Hartpury)