JAMES Percival has been sent to Coventry in order to get some games under his belt.

The 21-year-old lock, who has yet to break through into the Sixways first team this season, will join up with fellow Worcester young guns Jon Higgins and Neil Mason at the National One outfit.

The trio, who will still be able to play Zurich 'A' games for Worcester, hope to play week-in, week-out for Coventry after a lean time at Sixways since the Warriors made it into the Premiership.

Worcester brought in Tim Collier from London Welsh at the start of the season and his form, plus the added competition of Craig Gillies, Phil Murphy and Mark Gabey, means that Percival is unlikely to get any Premiership action this season.

"I signed that deal off this week," said Worcester's director of rugby John Brain.

Convenient

"The lad needs some rugby and the move suits all parties. It's convenient for us in terms of its location and because there are already two other Worcester players there.

"It will be good for James to get some proper rugby under his belt. He again will continue, however, to be available for us in the Zurich 'A' matches."

Meanwhile, Brain has confirmed that Giscard Pieters is fit but misses today's Premiership clash with Leicester Tigers due to tactical reasons.

The South African winger, who was one of a few players to impress for the Warriors in Sunday's 25-15 defeat at London Irish, did not even make today's 22.

Instead, Matt Powell, Duncan Roke and new signing Paul Sampson are the backs to get the nod for the bench.

"We've gone for Daren O'Leary in the starting 15 because he's more of a known quantity to us than Giscard at the moment," said Brain.

"There is also the issue of covering the full-back position and we know Daren can do that. Duncan Roke is on the bench because of his ability to play at centre if needed while Paul Sampson certainly impressed us on Monday night in our Zurich 'A' game."