TOMMY Hayes is back for Worcester as they take on London Irish.

The Warriors fly-half, who has been out for a month with a knee injury, returns as Worcester go in search of their first away Premiership victory of the season on Sunday (3pm).

Fellow number ten James Brown is provisionally named on the bench but is rated no more than 50-50 after a neck problem this week.

The injury comes at the worst possible time for the former London Irish fly-half who was desperate to make a playing return to the Madejski Stadium.

New signing Giscard Pieters is named in the starting 15 for the first time this season after moving from South African side Pumas last month. The winger, who was the third top try scorer in this season's Currie Cup, makes his debut alongside Springbok Thinus Delport.

Ben Hinshelwood is named in the team but is still struggling with his on-going back problem and could be forced out. Thomas Lombard has been replaced by Gary Trueman after the Frenchman was ruled out of the side with a knee ligament strain. The centre is expected to make a speedy recovery, however.

In the pack, Andre Van Niekerk wins another start at hooker, while Tony Windo returns at loose-head and Leon Greeff -- injured since the victory over Harlequins last month -- is back at blindside.

"Andre Van Niekerk hasn't played since the Gloucester game," said Worcester's director of rugby John Brain. "It's a chance for him to claim the hooker's jersey in what is a tight call between him and Ben Daly.

"We'll have to see whether Ben Hinshelwood can play, while Tommy Hayes comes in really because James Brown hasn't been able to train. We're looking forward to seeing Pieters in the Premiership."

Meanwhile, Neil Mason and Jon Higgins have begun a three-month loan at Coventry. The youngsters have struggled to break into the Sixways first team this season and the deal will see them both still eligible to play Premiership 'A' matches for Worcester.

Worcester: Delport; Pieters, Rasmussen, Trueman, Hinshelwood; Hayes, Powell; Windo, Van Niekerk, Horsman, Collier, Gillies, Greeff, Sanderson, Hickey. Reps: Sparks, Daly, Murphy, Gabey, Stuart-Smith, Brown, O'Leary.