Connacht v Worcester: Teams

Worcester Warriors director of rugby Mike Ruddock has made a host of changes ahead of his side's Amlin Challenge Cup match against Connacht.

Matthew Jones will make his first start of the season at fly-half with Willie Walker rested as Ruddock has one eye on Worcester's Guinness Premiership match against Northampton on December 26.

"I told the squad in the de-brief that, whilst we are resting some performers ready for Northampton, there are no guarantees they are going to play," said Ruddock.

Ruddock has challenged his younger players to make a mark at the Galway Sportsground in order for him to reconsider his plans for upcoming Guinness Premiership matches.

He continued: "It is up to the boys coming in to put in a big performance and a big show and make me revaluate my plans in terms of selection for Saints.

"Matthew needs a big performance to challenge for a starting spot in the league - it is the same for every player now."

Marcel Garvey and Rico Gear return to the wings with Chris Pennell moving to full-back in place of Chris Latham.

Calum MacRae partners Alex Grove in midfield as Dale Rasmussen is named on the replacements bench, while French prop Olivier Sourgens is picked in the front row with Will Bowley and Graham Kitchener forming the second row partnership.

Elsewhere, Chris Fortey takes the captaincy from Pat Sanderson who is rested along with Tom Wood and Kai Horstmann and flanker Jake Abbott returns after his England Sevens exploits to line-up with James Collins and Matt Cox in a new-look back-row.

Connacht unchanged

Meanwhile, Connacht have named the same XV that beat Warriors 26-21 at Sixways last weekend.

However, there are two changes among the replacements with hooker Adrian Flavin returning in place of Dermot Murphy and scrum-half Kieran Campbell replacing the injured Conor O'Loughlin.

Connacht: 15 Gavin Duffy, 14 Liam Bibo, 13 Niva Ta'auso, 12 Aidan Wynne, 11 Fionn Carr, 10 Ian Keatley, 9 Frank Murphy, 8 George Naoupu, 7 Ray Ofisa, 6 John Muldoon, 5 Bernie Upton, 4 Mike McCarthy, 3 Robbie Morris, 2 Sean Cronin, 1 Brett Wilkinson.
Replacements: 16 Adrian Flavin, 17 Ronan Loughney, 18 Jamie Hagan, 19 Michael Swift, 20 Mike McComish, 21 Kieran Campbell, 22 Miah Nikora, 23 Troy Nathan.

Worcester Warriors: 15 Chris Pennell, 14 Marcel Garvey, 13 Alex Grove, 12 Calum MacRae, 11 Rico Gear, 10 Matthew Jones, 9 Jonny Arr, 8 Matt Cox, 7 Jake Abbott, 6 James Collins, 5 Will Bowley, 4 Kitch Kitchener, 3 Olivier Sourgens, 2 Chris Fortey, 1 Adam Black.
Replacements: 16 Jordan Page, 17 Jack Gilding, 18 Tevita Taumoepeau, 19 Dave Lyons, 20 Tom Wood, 21 Ollie Frost, 22 Greg King, 23 Dale Rasmussen.