CENTRE Duncan Hughes has been asked to fill Worcester Rugby Club's problem full-back berth for tomorrow's final pre-season game at home to cup holders Wasps.
The 27-year-old former King's School captain completes a team that is looking more and more like Les Cusworth's first choice line-up. (3pm)
Hughes has spent most of his career at centre but played full-back for the second-half of last Sunday's 43-14 victory over Cornwall. The change has been forced due to injuries and three departures in summer of transfers.
They have lost Tim Smith to retirement, John Liley to Doncaster and Richard Le Bas, who filled in for the end of last season, has moved to Leeds.
Rob Myler is out with an achilles tendon strain so Hughes is preferred to James Lofthouse, and Gloucester trialist Simon Morgan.
Lofthouse filled the full-back berth at Leeds last season and although he was not named in Cusworth's squad earlier this week he will be one of ten replacements.
Seven of Worcester's summer signings will start the game including stand-off Tony Yapp, winger Mat Walker and lock Dave Sims.
Wasps had asked England if they could release captain Lawrence Dallaglio for tomorrow's friendly but Dallaglio is now back in the England fold.
But stand-off Alex King and lock Simon Shaw are both expected to play.
Worcester: Hughes, Walker, Higgins, McLaughlin, Baxter, Yapp, Fenley, Lyman, Richards, Windo, Denhardt, Sims, Orgee, Carter, Jenner.
Replacements: Harvey, Lofthouse, Connolly, Linnett, Allison, Ball, Lloyd, Raymond, Merlin, Cockle.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article