Back-row forwards Matti Williams and Caleb Montgomery are set to return from lengthy injury lay-offs for Cavaliers in Monday’s Premiership Rugby Shield match against Leicester Tigers Development at Sixways (kick-off 7.30pm).
Williams suffered an abductor muscle injury in Warriors’ European Challenge Cup victory over Enisei-STM in Krasnodar in November and Montgomery has been out of action since October because of a hand injury which required surgery.
Williams and Montgomery have both been named in a strong provisional Cavaliers squad which also includes centre Will Butler.
Butler suffered an ankle injury on his seasonal debut for Warriors against Bath in the Premiership Rugby Cup in September but made a successful return to action against Enisei-STM last week when he scored a try after he came off the bench.
Samoa international wing Ed Fidow has also been included in the squad with back-row forward Tom Dodd again captain as Cavaliers attempt to make it five straight bonus point win to strengthen their position at the top of the Shield’s Northern Conference.
With three tighthead props – Conor Carey, Farai Mudariki and Joe Morris – ruled out by injuries, Cavaliers have called up Mitch Walsh from Hartpury University as a guest player to bolster the front row.
Walsh is joined in the squad by his Hartpury team-mates Max Boxall and Matt McNab, both of whom have played for Cavaliers already this season.
Cavaliers (from) |
Backs: Gareth Simpson, Luke Scully, Nick David, Will Butler, Scott van Breda, Noah Heward, Callum Morris, Max Boxall (Hartpury), Matt McNab (Hartpury).
Forwards: Kai Owen, Isaac Miller, Mitch Walsh (Hartpury), Matt Cox, James Scott, Morgan Monks, Matti Williams, Tom Dodd (C), Beck Cutting, Lewis Holsey, Caleb Montgomery.