KAI Horstmann has shaken off an ankle injury and returns to the pack at number eight for Worcester Warriors' European Challenge Cup clash with Montauban tomorrow (5.30pm).

He replaces Drew Hickey, who moves to the bench.

All Black second row Greg Rawlinson also drops to the replacements bench. The powerful lock, who has been in impressive form for the Warriors, is still struggling with an ankle complaint, so director of rugby Mike Rud-dock decided to give him a rest.

Ruddock said: "Greg has got a bit of an ankle injury - he would have played otherwise - but I've put him on the bench because of that. Kai has come back after his ankle injury and that is the other significant change.

"Hickey has got a few bumps and bruises, so it made sense to call Kai in and give Drew more time to recover."

The Sixways chief has named the strongest side at his disposal and insists the ECC is high on his list of priorities. Ruddock has his sights set on a strong finish to the group stage of the competition with the hope of securing a home quarter-final draw.

He said : "We are top of our pool and we want to make a conscious effort to stay there. If we finish as one of the top two qualifiers, we secure a home draw for the quarter-final and, if we won that, we would get a home semi-final.

"We will be going all out to try and secure those opportunities, so we thought that having put ourselves in the position we have, there was no point resting players for the trip to France."

Fly-half Shane Drahm has been omitted from the travelling squad, despite being fit to play. Ruddock admitted Drahm had fallen behind Loki Crichton in the pecking order and it appears the Aussie's future is uncertain.

Ruddock added: "Shane has been left out because we decided to make a change after the Harlequins game. Loki got the nod after impressing when he came on and James Brown has been waiting for his opporunity after injury.

"We are discussing Shane's future. We are talking about whether there are options for him to stay on next year."

Warriors : Delport; Gear, Rasmussen, Tuitupou, Benjamin; Crichton, M Powell ; Morris, Lutui, Taumoepeau, Bowley, Gillies, Wood, Sanderson, Horstmann. Replacements: Ruwers, Mullan, Rawlinson, Hickey, R Powell, Brown, Pennell.