England international wing Lydia Thompson is set to make her first Warriors Women start of the season at Gloucester-Hartpury tomorrow (kick-off 2.30pm).
Thompson is one of seven changes that new Director of Rugby Jo Yapp has made to the side from last week’s defeat to Saracens Women.
Former England international prop Laura Keates will also make her seasonal debut, with Ireland international Sarah Mimnagh selected at hooker.
Lauren Leatherland continues at loosehead prop, while captain Lyndsay O’Donnell is again named in the second-row.
Joining her is Elizabeth Shermer, as they renew a partnership last seen at Richmond a fortnight ago.
Taz Bricknell moves from hooker to blindside flanker, with Laura Thomas keeping her place at openside.
Cara Brincat will make her first start of the campaign at number eight in the final change to the forward pack.
The half-back partnership remains the same for the third consecutive match, with scrum-half Brooke Bradley lining up alongside Megan Goddard.
Lucy Lockhart comes back into the side to take Megan Varley’s place at inside centre, with former Gloucester player Jade Shekells continuing in midfield.
Thompson will start on the right wing in the only change to the back three, with Mary-Ann Gittings remaining at full-back and Zoe Heeley keeping her place on the left wing.
England international Sasha Acheson will make her debut if she comes off the bench, with Jess Weisheu, Vicky Laflin, Kaisla Parkkinen and Lowri Williams all set for their first Premier 15s outing of the season from the replacements.
Warriors boss Yapp is looking forward to leading the side for the first time.
“Gloucester-Hartpury are a really tough opposition for our first outing,” she said.
“They’re doing really well at the minute, they have some England internationals and they’re well established in the league.
“But really it’s a local derby so we’re excited to get down there and play them.
“I’m looking forward to getting going, I’ve been here as a Skills Coach since the summer and there’s some really good stuff been happening so to be able to build on that is really important for me.”
Warriors Women | 15 Mary-Ann Gittings; 14 Lydia Thompson, 13 Jade Shekells, 12 Lucy Lockhart, 11 Zoe Heeley; 10 Megan Goddard, 9 Brooke Bradley; 1 Lauren Leatherland, 2 Sarah Mimnagh, 3 Laura Keates; 4 Lyndsay O’Donnell (c), 5 Elizabeth Shermer; 6 Taz Bricknell, 7 Laura Thomas, 8 Cara Brincat
Replacements: 16 Carmen Tremelling, 17 Sasha Acheson, 18 Jess Wiesheu, 19 Sara Moreira, 20 Vicky Laflin, 21 Kaisla Parkkinen, 22 Lowri Williams