SAMOAN international Loki Crichton has been handed a starting spot as Worcester Warriors travel to Vicarage Road to face Saracens in the Guinness Premiership on Sunday (3pm).

Crichton will make his third start in the league this season as Mike Ruddock’s men hunt a third successive victory in the top-flight.

Director of rugby Ruddock has been forced into a number of changes with fly-half Matthew Jones (foot) and full-back Chris Latham (knee) ruled out of the trip to Watford.

New Zealand ace Rico Gear returns on the wing with Chris Pennell moving to full-back in the side captained by Pat Sanderson.

Aleki Lutui starts at hooker, while young guns Joe Carlisle and Alex Grove are named among the replacements.

“It is good that we have got international players to come in and cover internationals that are going out,” said Ruddock.

“Loki did really well when he came off the bench against Newcastle and kicked some great goals for us.

“We scored two nice tries when he was outside-half and he tackled very well. He has a big opportunity and I know he will want to take that.

“On paper, the replacements we have brought in are as equally as good. It is up to them to live up to their reputations and deliver in the same way that Matthew Jones and Chris Latham have.”

Saracens welcome back internationals Matias Aguero, Fabio Ongaro and Kameli Ratuvou to their starting line-up.

The Italian front-row duo and the Pacific Islands winger return to a team that also sees director of rugby Eddie Jones name a new second-row partnership.

Former Wales captain Michael Owen swaps the number eight jersey to join Hugh Vyvyan at lock.

In the back row, Ben Skirving comes in at the back of the scrum with Wikus van Heerden and Andy Saull named on the flanks.

Moses Rauluni takes a place on the bench following international duty. Cencus Johnston, who is set to return from a short trip to New Zealand, could also feature on the bench but a decision will be taken over the weekend.

“The internationals who have returned to the team have performed very well for their countries in the past few weeks,” said Jones.

“Matias and Fabio were also in good form for us before they joined up with Italy and Kameli scored a superb try last week for the Islanders so all three are playing well.”

Saracens go into the game on the back of two successive league defeats and Jones is looking for his team to put that right.

He added: “Worcester come to us on the back of two very good performances in the Premiership whereas our form has not been so good. However, I am expecting my players to put that right.”

Warriors: Pennell; Gear, Rasmussen, Tuitupou, Benjamin; Crichton, Powell; Mullan, Lutui, Taumoepeau, Rawlinson, Gillies, Talei, Sanderson (c), Horstmann. Replacements: Horsman, Fortey, Bowley, Cox, B Jones, Carlisle, Grove.

Saracens: Goode; Ratuvou, Powell, Farrell (c), Cato; Jackson, de Kock; Aguero, Ongaro, Visagie, Owen, Vyvyan, van Heerden, Saull, Skirving. Replacements: Kyriacou, Mercey, Ryder, Chesney, Rauluni, Barritt, Sorrell.