YOUNG gun Jon Higgins will make his first start on Saturday as Worcester Rugby Club begin their Powergen Cup campaign.

The 21-year-old fly half gets the nod against Bracknell in the third round clash at Lily Hill Park alongside John O'Reilly.

Higgins -- a product of Worcester's academy -- is becoming an increasingly important figure at Sixways with James Brown ruled out because of back surgery.

Coaches John Brain and Andy Keast have taken the opportunity to have a close look at Higgins and half-back partner O'Reilly.

Following Werner Swanepoel's sending off at London Welsh on Saturday, O'Reilly looks likely to figure much more in the coming weeks if the South African is suspended by the RFU.

"We've always said that Werner is only as good as the players behind him," said Keast.

"If O'Reilly or Tom Richardson were playing better then they would be in front of him, it's as simple as that."

Worcester also hand a full debut to Hugo Southwell at full back, while 20-year-old academy centre Neil Starling takes his place on the bench for the first time.

In the pack, Gareth Mason is given a chance at loose-head while Neil Mason gets the blindside spot.

"It's an opportunity for us to have a close look at some players who have not had a lot of rugby," said director of rugby Brain.

"We always planned to give these younger players a run out and for people such as Jon Higgins it is a great opportunity.

"Bracknell are doing well this season so they will see this as an opportunity to cause an upset. Playing away in the cup is always a potential banana skin."

Worcester: Southwell; Hudson, Hinshelwood, Trueman, Garrard; Higgins, O'Reilly; G Mason, Pearson, Lyman, Zaltzman, Gillies, N Mason, Pfister, Jenner. Replacements: Richardson, Chalmers, Starling, Hall, Davis, Morgan, Nias.