12/11/03 - Sixways recall in prospect for Ben

Worcester Rugby Club's back, who returned from Down Under this week after Scotland's World Cup exit, is earmarked for a full back role in Saturday's National One clash at Brickfields.

With Duncan Roke again ruled out because of his knee injury, Hinshelwood looks likely to get the nod at 15 despite only checking back into Sixways yesterday.

He trained today and, if he gets over a stomach bug, should make his first Worcester start since the September clash with Orrell.

"We had a good chat with Ben yesterday," said Worcester's director of rugby John Brain. "He's obviously a bit jet-lagged but he watched us train and he will train today.

"He picked up a stomach bug over the weekend but I think he's over that now and he'll be fit for the weekend.

"Obviously Ben comes into the equation for the full back role with Duncan out. Duncan can jog but still can't run so he is ruled out.

"The back line has also been fairly settled over the past few weeks and they have been playing well so, in an ideal world, we wouldn't want to disrupt that. With Ben back, it gives us an option at full back.

"We talked about the World Cup experience and Ben had really enjoyed it.

"I think he was a little frustrated that he didn't play as much as he would have liked and a bit disappointed in some of Scotland's performances.

"I think, though, that the experience can only help him as a player and hopefully, that will help Worcester."

Gavin Pfister has returned to fitness after his lay-off because of a shoulder problem but fellow flanker Neil Mason twisted his ankle in training and is likely to drop out of contention.

Apart from that, Brain has a fully fit squad to choose from and is relishing the selection.

"It's going to be very interesting," he said. "We've had a lot of bad luck with injuries in my time and it's nice to see so many players available for selection.

"We will need them all, though, because we have a tough couple of months ahead of us, starting on Saturday."