GAVIN Quinnell makes his first start in 12 weeks for Worcester Warriors in their vital Premiership clash at Northampton Saints this afternoon (Monday 3pm).

The powerful flanker plays at blindside in a re-jigged back row which sees Drew Hickey return at number eight and captain Pat Sanderson switched to openside.

Hickey's inclusion means that for the first time this season, Warriors start a game with Kai Hortsmann - although the England A' player is among the replacements.

Gary Trueman returns to the side at centre in place of Thomas Lombard after a lengthy lay-off following a double-hernia operation.

Shane Drahm comes in for Thinus Delport at full-back and Ryan Powell replaces namesake Matt at scrum-half.

England star Ben Cohen will make his first appearance for Saints since he returned from England duty in the autumn internationals after finally recovering from a shoulder injury. The wing's inclusion in the starting line-up represents the only change from the team that beat London Wasps on December 22.

Cohen originally damaged his shoulder in Saints' league game against Leicester Tigers on October 14 and further irritated the injury in the following weeks. He replaces French winger Matthieu Bourret in the Northampton line-up.

Saints head coach Paul Grayson said: "We would have liked to have been able to rest a few more players during the past week but our lack of backs made that impossible.

"All clubs have had to cope with this busy festive period so we are all in the same position going into these games."

Warriors: Drahm; Havili, Rasmussen, Trueman, Garvey; Brown, R Powell; Taumoepeau, Lutui, Horsman, Gillies, Collier, Quinnell, Sanderson, Hickey. Reps: Morris, C Fortey, Murphy, Horstmann, M Powell, Lombard, Delport.

Saints: Diggin; Lamont, Mallon, Kydd, Cohen; Spencer, Robinson; Smith, Thompson, Barnard, Gerard, Short, Tupai, Fox, Browne. Reps: Hartley, Budgen, Lord, Easter, Vass, Bourret, Going.