FORMER St Helens star Scott Barrow is standing by for his first Worcester Rugby Club start against Henley at Sixways on Saturday (3pm).

The 20-year-old, who swapped League for Union back in November, will start his first game for the National One leaders if Springbok Rudi Keil fails to recover from illness.

Keil, who has been a revelation in his centre pairing with Alistair Murdoch this season, has struggled all week and Barrow gets his chance after Lualala Langkilde also dropped out of contention after picking up a calf injury.

Barrow has not found it easy to break into the first team set-up since his move from the Merseysiders but coach Adrian Skeggs believes the time is right for him to stake a claim for a regular place.

He said: "I am a big fan of his because he is a very talented young player who I think has a big future at Worcester. Of course it takes a while to settle into not only a new club but also a new code but he has taken things in his stride.

"He has been progressing very well and has been going well in the Warriors matches. If he comes in for Rudi then I am sure he will not let anyone down."

Skeggs added: "Rudi has played a lot of games in a short space of time since he came to the club so he needs a rest anyway. With him being ill it gives him a chance to take that rest."

Other changes to the side which beat Otley 31-19 at the weekend see hooker Andrew Lamerton return in place of Chris Hall and Dave Fryday come in for Nick Broughton.

Fryday regains the number eight shirt, while Cameron Mather switches to flanker. Andy Collins replaces Virgil Hartland at prop while Nick Baxter keeps his place after his double-try burst in Yorkshire.

Worcester: Calder, Tuipulotu, Barrow, Murdoch, Baxter, Va'a, Simpson-Daniel, Windo, Lamerton, Collins, Sims, Zaltzman, Evans, Mather, Fryday. Reps: Hartland, Hall, Webster, Carter, Langkilde, Yapp, Jarman.

Meanwhile, the Sixways club have been taking emergency measures to make sure the Henley game does not fall victim to the weather.

The main pitch has been covered with tarpaulin and hot air blowers will be working throughout the next three days to try and beat the frost.

"The weather forecast predicts three days of frost and we want to try and ensure that the game can go ahead," said Chief Executive Geoff Cooke.

* The National One clash of the titans at Headingley be-tween Leeds and Worcester has been moved to Sunday, April 1.

The match was originally due to be played on March 31, but the Yorkshire club moved the match after a number of requests from fans. The game will kick-off at 2.30pm.