Wasps v Worcester: Teams
Dave Walder is set to return to action with the Wasps after recovering from a fracture dislocation to his ankle
Last Updated: 12/09/08 2:02pm
Dave Walder is set to return to action with the Wasps after recovering from a fracture dislocation to his ankle.
The fly-half, who sustained the injury in a match at Adams Park in April, recently returned to the field for the A side and scored 22 points in the win over Harlequins.
As well as bringing Walder into the first XV, Wasps director of rugby Ian McGeechan has recalled full-back Josh Lewsey for the injured Mark van Ginsbergen while Riki Flutey moves to the centres.
The side are hoping to improve upon their performance after a 26-14 defeat at the hands of London Irish in the Guinness Premiership season opener.
McGeechan said: "Following on from last weekend we will be eager to make amends at Adams Park on Sunday.
"We were extremely disappointed by our performance at Twickenham and we are not a club to make excuses - we know we simply weren't good enough.
"There has been a lot of hard work put in this week by the players and we will be looking for a strong performance."
Changes
Meanwhile, Worcester coach Mike Ruddock has made three changes to his side ahead of the Wasps clash.
Lock Will Bowley will partner Greg Rawlinson in the second row and prop Chris Horsman will replace Tevita Taumopeau on the field.
England Sevens international James Collins will play in the back row, with Pat Sanderson still ruled out through quad injury.
Other injured players who remain out of action for the Warriors include Joe Carlisle and Marcel Garvey as well as long-term absentee Hal Luscombe.
With a number of key players injured, Ruddock is prepared for a tough match against the reigning champions.
He said: "London Wasps is not an easy place to go but it's where we want to go, they are the champions and that's where we really want to go next."
"We were so disappointed with our performance at Northampton that what we need now to have a massive challenge and to bring out the best in the boys. The massive challenge is Wasps."
Wasps: 15 Josh Lewsey, 14 Paul Sackey, 13 Dominic Waldouck, 12 Riki Flutey, 11 Tom Voyce, 10 Dave Walder, 9 Eoin Reddan, 1 Tim Payne, 2 Raphael Ibanez (captain), 3 Phil Vickery, 4 Simon Shaw, 5 Tom Palmer, 6 Joe Worsley, 7 Tom Rees, 8 James Haskell.
Replacements: 16 Rob Webber, 17 Pat Barnard, 18 Richard Birkett, 19 John Hart, 20 Joe Simpson, 21 Jeremy Staunton, 22 Lachlan Mitchell.
Worcester: 15 Chris Latham, 14 Rico Gear, 13 Dale Rasmussen, 12 Sam Tuitupou, 11 Miles Benjamin, 10 Matthew Jones, 9 Matt Powell, 1 Matt Mullan, 2 Aleki Lutui, 3 Chris Horsman, 4 Greg Rawlinson (captain), 5 Will Bowley, 6 Tom Wood, 7 James Collins, 8 Netani Talei.
Replacements: 16 Tevita Taumoepeau, 17 Chris Fortey, 18 Craig Gillies, 19 Kai Horstmann, 20 Ryan Powell, 21 Loki Crichton, 22 Chris Pennell.