WORCESTER Warriors have named a strong side for their European Challenge Cup pool match with three-time Heineken Cup champions Toulon (5.30pm) on Saturday night at Sixways. 

Loosehead prop Marc Thomas returns to the side for the first time in seven weeks after suffering an injury in the Gallagher Premiership with Newcastle Falcons.

Thomas, who  fills the gap left by Rory Sutherland who is suspended, is one of three changes to the side that faced Bath Rugby on Sunday.

Lock Matt Garvey comes into the second row in place of the injured Andrew Kitchener in the other change to the pack.

Oli Morris starts in the centre in a swap with Ashley Beck who has been named among the replacements.

Scotland tighthead prop Murray McCallum, a recent recruit from Glasgow Warriors, has also been named as a replacement. 

Lock Justin Clegg also returns to the matchday squad as a replacement having recovered from a shoulder injury along with Tonga international back-row forward Sione Vailanu.

Vailanu missed the Bath match after he returned a positive Test for COVID-19 but completed his period of isolation earlier this week.

As for the visitors, they are missing two of their star internationals as both lock Leone Nakarawa and South African World Cup winner Cheslin Kolbe are not included.

Former Worcester man Cornell du Preez does return to Sixways with his new side on the flank for Toulon, whilst former Wasps tighthead prop Kieran Brookes starts in the front row. 

There is also no place for Italian rugby legend Sergio Parisse in the squad.

Warriors | 15 Jamie Shillcock, 14 Perry Humphreys, 13 Oli Morris, 12 Francois Venter (CC), 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Fin Smith, 9 Gareth Simpson, 1 Marc Thomas, 2 Niall Annett, 3 Christian Judge, 4 Matt Garvey, 5 Joe Batley, 6 Kyle Hatherell, 7 Ted Hill (CC), 8 Matt Kvesic.

Replacements | 16 Scott Baldwin, 17 Ethan Waller, 18 Murray McCallum, 19 Justin Clegg, 20 Sione Vailanu, 21 Sam Lewis, 22 Will Chudley, 23 Ashley Beck.