GISCARD Pieters looks set for his Worcester debut at London Irish.
The South African winger, who has yet to play for the Warriors since his move from the Pumas last month, may yet be included as the Sixways side travel to the Madejski Stadium on Sunday.
Pieters arrived at Worcester as the third top try scorer in the Currie Cup this season after 12 touchdowns for the Pumas. And he's already impressed head coach Andy Keast as Worcester go in search of their first away Zurich Premiership victory.
"He's got to come into the mix," said Keast.
"We need pace through those backs and he's certainly got that. We've had a good look at him now in training and we hope to get him involved in Sunday's game."
Worcester have selection problems ahead of the game with a number of players now doubtful for Sunday. James Brown has a dead leg and a neck problem, while Thomas Lombard has a knee injury which has prevented him from training this week. Add to that Ben Hinshelwood's on-going back injury, which again flared up yesterday, and the Warriors were looking at a rejigged back-line for the Irish clash.
Tommy Hayes played 25 minutes against Brive on Saturday night in the European Challenge Cup defeat and will fill Brown's boots if the former London Irish man doesn't make it. Hayes made his comeback in France following a knee injury, which had kept him out since September, and is ready to go according to Keast.
"Tommy's fit and raring to go," he said. "He trained fully yesterday and, obviously after being out with his injury, he's hungry for action.
"At the moment, though, we are bordering on an injury crisis because James Brown, Thomas Lombard and Ben Hinshelwood can't train."
In the pack, Tony Windo and Andre Van Niekerk are pushing for recalls as is Craig Gillies who has now recovered from a troublesome back injury.
Meanwhile, Worcester could be making a trip to Romania if they progress in the European Shield. Keast's side will meet the winners of the Leonessa/Bucuresti tie if they overcome Italians Rovigo in the first round next month. The first round two-legged tie against Rovigo will take place in the first weekend of December, while the quarter-finals are pencilled in for a month later.
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