NEW Zealander Tom Harding will make his first start for Warriors in tomorrow's Sixways showdown with top-of-the-table Sale Sharks (2pm).

The flanker impressed director of rugby John Brain with a superb second-half display in the club's meeting with Bristol two weeks ago when he came on following a back injury to Pat Sanderson.

With skipper Sanderson likely to be sidelined for at least a month, Brain was left to choose between Harding and Tongan Johnny Tuamoheloa for the open-side spot.

"It was a very close call," he admitted. "We've got two very, very good players in Johnny and Tom."

Brain will today give a fitness test to French centre Thomas Lombard who has been receiving treatment for a niggling back injury.

If he is not able to take part, then Simon Whatling will be drafted in at 12.

Elsewhere, Chris Fortey is re-instated at hooker with Andre Van Niekerk dropping to the bench.

The South African was a surprise starter at the Memorial Stadium following his three-month injury lay-off but Brain says he is not up to speed yet.

"We gambled on him for 20 minutes," he said. "He isn't fit enough at this point in time. He needs to play his way back to fitness before he can mount a serious challenge to Chris Fortey.

"He's getting fitter week by week and he will get his opportunity off the bench."

The only other selection issue concerns fly-half James Brown, who will have his hamstring checked out before being named on the replacements bench.

Sharks will be missing a number of key players because of their involvement in the Six Nations.

But Brain said: "It's going to be a tough game because they are top of the table and have only lost twice in the league. Our last three performances have been increasingly positive and as a team we are moving in the right direction."

Sale will hold their own internal disciplinary hearing into the conduct of Epi Taione, following the player's admission of guilt to the charge of biting, which earned him an 18-week ban.

Warriors (possible): Le Roux; Havili, Rasmussen, Lombard, Tucker; Drahm, Gomarsall; Windo, Fortey, Taumoepeau, Murphy, Gillies, Horstmann, Harding, Hickey.