Wasps v Worcester: Teams

Wasps face a depleted Worcester side at Adams Park on Saturday as they embark on a hectic period of three league games in eight days.

At Adams Park, Saturday April 12, Kick-off 3pm

Wasps face a depleted Worcester side at Adams Park on Saturday as they embark on a hectic period which will see them play three league games in eight days. Director of rugby Ian McGeechan, however, has an almost 100 per cent fit squad at his disposal as his in-form side continue their Guinness Premiership play-off charge. Tom Voyce, who has been sidelined since December with a knee injury, returns along with Joe Worsley, who has also been out through injury. McGeechan has made a number of other changes to the team that beat Leicester at Welford Road two weeks ago. Dominic Waldouck replaces Fraser Waters in the centre, Mark McMillan partners Danny Cipriani at half-back and Josh Lewsey reverts to full back. In the pack Tim Payne and Raphael Ibanez make way in the front-row for Tom French and Joe Ward, while George Skivington comes in at lock. With Wasps due to face Sale Sharks on Tuesday and Saracens five days later, McGeechan stressed the importance of a full team effort over this busy period. "We gave the players a good break following the Leicester game, which was important rest time before we began preparing for this next block of three games," he said.

Challenge

"The challenge for us as a coaching team has been how we manage the squad though this next eight days. "We need to keep winning and maintain consistency in our play, but because the games come so close together, delivering on the pitch in all three matches will be the responsibility of more than 22 players." Worcester's director of rugby Mike Ruddock has had to make numerous changes to his injury hit side but he is confident the Warriors', who are unbeaten in four consecutive matches, can mount a serious challenge on Saturday. Matt Cox makes his Guinness Premiership debut in the back-row for injured skipper Pat Sanderson after impressive performances for England Sevens this season, Kai Horstmann misses with a hamstring injury but the fit again Tom Wood and Drew Hickey return to the pack. Matt Mullan comes in for the injured Aleki Lutui at hooker, while Will Bowley replaces Greg Rawlinson in the second row. At scrum-half Jonny Arr wins his first league start after a shoulder injury ruled out Matt Powell and Rico Gear partners the recalled Mark Tucker, who makes his 99th appearance at centre. Ruddock said: "We are carrying a lot of injuries, it is the accumulation of a tough month or two. "But out of the bad news that is injuries come opportunities for some up and coming players. "It will be a big game but there are some big games to follow, if we feel we have players that are at risk of further injury then we have to make a call that we don't play them and freshen them up to get rid of any difficulties they have." Wasps: 15 Josh Lewsey, 14 Paul Sackey, 13 Dominic Waldouck, 12 Riki Flutey, 11 Tom Voyce, 10 Danny Cipriani, 9 Mark McMillan, 8 Lawrence Dallaglio (c), 7 Joe Worsley, 6 Dan Leo, 5 George Skivington, 4 Tom Palmer, 3 Phil Vickery, 2 Joe Ward, 1 Tom French.
Replacements: 16 Rob Webber, 17 Pat Barnard, 18 Tim Payne, 19 Simon Shaw, 20 Eoin Reddan, 21 Dave Walder, 22 Mark van Gisbergen. Worcester: 15 Chris Pennell, 14 Miles Benjamin, 13 Rico Gear, 12 Mark Tucker, 11 Marcel Garvey, 10 Shane Drahm, 9 Jonny Arr, 8 Drew Hickey, 7 Matt Cox, 6 Tom Wood, 5 Craig Gillies, 4 Will Bowley, 3 Tevita Taumoepeau, 2 Matt Mullan, 1 Tony Windo (c).
Replacements: 16 Shaun Ruwers, 17 Chris Fortey, 18 Graham Kitchener, 19 Gavin Quinnell, 20 Nick Runciman, 21 Joe Carlisle, 22 Dominic Feaunati.