BRAD MacLeod-Henderson has taken Drew Hickey's prized back-row spot.

The South African, who moved from Rotherham in the summer, will make his first Worcester start at eight as the Warriors welcome Bath to Sixways on Saturday (2pm).

Hickey -- one of the outstanding players of last season's title team -- has to make do with a place on the bench as Worcester look to combat Bath's line-out threat with England duo Danny Grewcock and Steve Borthwick.

Both sides have lost their opening Zurich Premiership matches but Worcester are two places above bottom side Bath because of their losing bonus point, won at Saracens on Sunday.

"It's a purely tactical decision regarding MacLeod-Henderson," said head coach Andy Keast. "I was delighted with Drew Hickey's work-rate at Watford on Sunday but we just feel that Brad is right for this game."

Thinus Delport will also make his full debut, with Daren O'Leary moving out to the wing replacing Ben Gollings.

Worcester have also found a temporary solution for their front row crisis by putting Lee Fortey at tight-head after their three first choice props, Neil Lyman, Chris Horsman and Colin Noon, were ruled out through injury.

Club skipper Ben Hinshelwood is named in the 22 for the first time this season, after recovering from a back problem, but he has to settle for a replacement's spot alongside England under-21 captain Clive Stuart-Smith.

"We're delighted to have Thinus in the starting lineup," added Keast. "We've brought back Ben Hinshelwood into the 22 and Duncan Roke, after an impressive run-out for the 'A' team on Monday night, comes into the squad.

"We had to make a decision on the front row because Colin Noon hasn't been able to train and, obviously, you've got to drill the scrum and work on the lineout. Therefore, we've gone for Lee Fortey who always gives us 100 per cent.

"Obviously, Bath have a superb second row and that's an area we will have to compete. Our set piece needs to improve."

Team: Delport; O'Leary, Hayes, Trueman, Lombard; Brown, Cole; Windo, Daly, Fortey, Collier, Gillies, Greeff, Sanderson, MacLeod-Henderson. Replacements: Sparks, Van Niekerk, Murphy, Hickey, Stuart-Smith, Hinshelwood, Roke.