WORCESTER Warriors will hand Joe Carlisle his first senior start of the season when they face Bourgoin in the European Challenge Cup at the Stade Pierre Rajon tomorrow night (kick-off 7.30 GMT).

Fly-half Carlisle comes into the starting line-up with fit-again Loki Crichton moving to full-back as Chris Pennell (ankle) is ruled out.

Warriors also make a change at centre where Alex Grove starts with Sam Tuitupou rested and visiting an ill family member back in New Zealand.

Director of rugby Mike Ruddock makes one change in the pack with Chris Horsman starting at prop and Tevita Taumoepeau moving to the replacements. Academy products Jonny Arr, Greg King and Charlie Fellows are also named on the bench.

The Welshman said: “We didn’t expect Bourgoin to beat Castres last week away from home. Normally in the French league you win at home and lose away.

“Bourgoin have a great pedigree and have got to the final twice in the past. They will be tough and physical. They have a big scrum, a big line-out and they like their driving line-out. They’ve got some useful backs too.

“With our current injury status, we’re glad to have a break away from the Guinness Premiership, but this is still a great competition with some quality teams.

“They have good form but you just don’t know sometimes. We expect it to be tough and physical.

“Sammy Tuitupou won't come with us as he is going to be rested. Chris Pennell didn’t alert us to any problem with his ankle after the Saracens game, so we just iced it up.

“However, the next day it had swollen up quite badly and, with a five-day turn-around, there isn’t enough time to get it right. With a bit of luck, he should be OK for next weekend.”

Warriors: Crichton; Gear, Rasmussen, Grove, Benjamin; Carlisle, M Powell; Mullan, Lutui, Horsman, Rawlinson, Gillies, Talei, Sanderson (c), Horstmann. Replacements: Taumoepeau, Fortey, Bowley, Cox, Arr, King, Fellows.