THE man nicknamed 'nutter' is back to run riot for Worcester at Sixways.

Richard Bates is included in the Warriors side to face Henley Hawks in the National One clash on Saturday (3pm) after recovering from a knee injury.

The South African has been sidelined since September with the injury but starts as Worcester make wholesale changes from their cup side.

Bates takes his place at blindside while there are recalls for Daren O'Leary at full back, centres Tommy Hayes and Gary Trueman and James Brown is back in the groove at fly-half.

Drew Hickey returns to number eight as Dan Zaltzman keeps his place alongside Lee Fortey in the pack. Tony Windo is named captain in the absence of Werner Swanepoel, but the former Springbok is back in the squad following a month on the sidelines with a knee problem.

Christian Evans also returns from injury and takes his place on a strong bench which includes David Officer, Mark Gabey and Neil Lyman. Duncan Roke is facing a race against time to take his place on that bench following a knee injury and Jon Hylton will deputise if he doesn't make it against his former club.

With so many players to choose from it has given coaches John Brain and Andy Keast a few selection dilemmas, a welcome change from their usual injury problems.

"It's wonderful," said Keast. "It really has not happened that often to us in the two years we've been together at Sixways and it makes a pleasant change."

"It's good to have people like Richard Bates back," added Brain. "I think he'll be very focused and if he plays like everybody knows he can, he will be formidable."

Hooker Chris Hall is ruled out following back trouble although a scan has revealed no serious problem. Gavin Pfister, meanwhile, is still struggling with his shoulder injury, while Neil Mason, impressive in the 18-17 defeat at Wakefield, keeps his openside role.

Worcester: O'Leary; Garrard, Hayes, Trueman, Davies; Brown, Powell; Windo, Daly, Fortey, Zaltzman, Gillies, Bates, Mason, Hickey. Reps: Swanepoel, Officer, Roke (Hylton), Clunis, Lyman, Gabey, C. Evans.

Meanwhile, Worcester's Ben Hinshelwood is on the bench for Scotland's World Cup quarter-final clash with Australia on Saturday.