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Warriors unchanged for derby clash
Darren Morris: Back on the Worcester bench after injury.
Darren Morris: Back on the Worcester bench after injury.

WORCESTER Warriors director of Rugby Mike Ruddock names the same starting line-up for the fourth consecutive game as they prepare to face Gloucester in a red-hot derby at Sixways tomorrow (3pm).

Ruddock has named the same team that beat Sale Sharks and Leicester Tigers before drawing with Leeds Carnegie in difficult conditions for the sell-out clash.

Changes on the bench see New Zealand wing Rico Gear return after missing the last three games through illness and injury.

Prop Darren Morris returns to the replacements, after being ruled out since early February with a stinger injury, and young scrum half Jonny Arr is also named with Ryan Powell and Nick Runciman ruled out.

Fijian international Netani Talei and Wales star Chris Horsman are among those unavailable due to injury.

"Gloucester are a fine side and I have been very impressed with them, watching from afar last season as they made the Guinness Premiership final and this year I think they have improved again," said Ruddock.

"They are coming here to Sixways stadium to a sell out and there will be a massive atmosphere. It's going to be a big game and hopefully we can do enough to get a result. We are aware of the fact that we have never beaten them, we have talked about making history.

"If we are serious about winning we need to start better than we did against Leeds. We need to get the first score in. That was key to our win up at Sale because we tackled for our lives after to keep ahead."

The Cherry and Whites welcome back Alex Brown at lock and full-back Olly Morgan to the starting XV after lenghty injury lay-offs.

Despite Gloucester facing Munster at Kingsholm next weekend in the Heineken Cup, head coach Dean Ryan insists that his players are focused.

"The focus has been really good this week - we are not looking at anything else other than this game and have put a group together we believe will be very competitive.

"Not only are Worcester competitive but when they play some rugby they are a huge threat - it should be a cracking contest.

"Considering the disruption we have faced over the last seven or eight weeks, to be in a play-off place is testament to the squad and we must build on that now."

Warriors: Delport; Garvey, Rasmussen, Tuitupou, Benjamin; Drahm, Powell; Windo, Lutui, Taumoepeau, Rawlinson, Gillies, Wood, Sanderson (capt), Horstmann. Reps: Morris, Mullan, Bowley, Hickey, Carlisle, Arr, Gear.

Gloucester: Morgan; Balshaw, Simpson-Daniel, Allen, Vainikolo; Lamb, Lawson; Wood, Andy Titterrell, Nieto, Bortolami (capt), Brown, Strokosch, Qera, Narraway. Reps: Paul, Dickinson, James, Delve, Cooper, Walker, Paterson.

11:57am Friday 28th March 2008

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