NICOLAS Le Roux will make his first start for Worcester in 2006 in tonight's crucial Guinness Premiership encounter at Bristol (7.45).

The French full-back has re-covered from the knee problem that has prevented him from playing in Warriors' last four games.

He is joined in the starting 15 by captain Pat Sanderson, who returns after being sidelined for five weeks with a back complaint.

Sanderson replaces Johnny Tuamoheloa at openside. The Tongan flanker has been suffering with a sore shin and has not been included in the 22.

Hooker Andre Van Niekerk, who has not played since dislocating his shoulder on October 1 last year, wins a place on the bench.

With South African Thinus Delport still sidelined by a knee injury, Mark Tucker continues on the wing.

Mike Maguire, who has not figured since making a disappointing debut at Newcastle on New Year's Day, is on the bench alongside fellow New Zealander Tom Harding.

Worcester go into the Memorial Stadium game without a win in their last three Premiership games but head coach Anthony Eddy is not alarmed by that sequence.

"There's still a lot of games left in the Premiership," he said.

"Allthough we've had three consecutive losses in the Guinness Premiership we would still back ourselves against any team.

"I think there are still going to be a lot of teams getting turned over by lesser teams."

Warriors are currently four points ahead of their West Country rivals in the Guinness Premiership and Bristol have an even worse recent record, having lost their last four games in all competitions.

Warriors: Le Roux; Havili, Rasmussen, Lombard, Tucker; Dr-ahm, Gomarsall; Windo, Fortey, Taumoepeau, Murphy, Gillies, Horstmann, Sanderson, Hickey. Replacements: Van Niekerk, L Fortey, O'Donoghue, Harding, Powell, Whatling, Maguire.

Bristol: Stortoni; Robinson, Lima, Higgitt, Lemi; Strange, Perry; Hilton, Regan, Crompton, Budgett, Llewellyn, Salter, El Abd, Ward-Smith. Replace-ments: Irish, Nelson, Sambu-cetti, Lewis, Nicholls, Hayes, Denney.