Warriors name side for Elior Champ opener

Worcester Warriors have named their side to take on Bedford Blues in the opening round of the season.

Nine of the team that started last year’s final against the Blues start again at Sixways on Saturday, with a further four who started the final win on the bench tomorrow.

There’s also just one change to the starting fifteen that faced Cardiff two weeks ago, with Will Trewin coming onto the wing, joining Jake Garside and Louis Brown in the back three.

Tom Seabrook and try-scorer from the final Siva Naulago line-up in the centres, with Will Reed and Will Lane completing the back-line at fly-half and scrum-half respectively.

Moving into the forwards, Cam Miell, Austin Wallis and Fraser Balmain start again in the front row, with Tom Savage captaining the side again in the second row, with John Hawkins partnering him.

Rounding off the starting line-up, James Cherry makes his Warriors Champ debut at openside flanker with Tim Anstee and Hallam Chapman joining him in the back-row.

On the bench, scrum-half Lloyd Williams makes his return with Club Captain Matt Kvesic, prop Billy Keast and second-row James Tyas also returning after not featuring in pre-season.

Hooker Jack Dickinson is also set for a Warriors Champ debut, with Ashley Challenger, Rory Taylor and Alfie Garside completing the 23.

Warriors Team vs Bedford Blues (H – Champ Rugby Rd 1) – 3PM, Sixways

15 Louis Brown, 14 Jake Garside, 13 Siva Naulago, 12 Tom Seabrook, 11 Will Trewin, 10 Will Reed, 9 Will Lane; 1 Cam Miell, 2 Austin Wallis, 3 Fraser Balmain,4 Tom Savage ©*, 5 John Hawkins*, 6 Tim Anstee, 7 James Cherry*, 8 Hallam Chapman

16 Jack Dickinson*, 17 Billy Keast, 18 Ashley Challenger, 19 James Tyas, 20 Matt Kvesic, 21 Lloyd Williams, 22 Rory Taylor, 23 Alfie Garside

* = Warriors Champ Debut