WORCESTER Rugby Club look likely to be bolstered by Ben Hinshelwood's presence at Otley on Saturday.

The Sixways club get their National One campaign underway in the Cross Green clash and had expected their star centre to be away on Scotland duty.

However, the Evening News understands that Hinshelwood is unlikely to be involved in the Murrayfield friendly with Ireland on Saturday, freeing him up for Worcester.

The former Bedford man is still very much in contention for Ian McGeechan's final 30 which will travel to the World Cup later this month but the prevailing thought is that more National One game-time is the ideal preparation for Hinshelwood after suffering a broken leg back in January.

Hinshelwood has not played a competitive game since then but, after playing in Worcester's warm-up games during August, he is likely to be on the bench against Otley.

Coaches John Brain and Andy Keast are still hoping to have Hinshelwood available for their early season promotion showdown with Orrell at Sixways next weekend and there is still a possibility of him playing some part in their third league clash at Bedford on September 20. Much will depend, however, on Scotland's intentions.

Worcester go into the Otley match on the back of a morale-boosting 16-13 victory over Premiership champions Wasps and Brain has been delighted with the pre-season work.

"It's gone very well," he said. "The guys have worked really hard and have settled into Phil Richards' new training programme very well.

"We were pleased with the scrum against Wasps and certainly our defensive performance was very encouraging. You can only play what's in front of you and it was a strong Wasps side that we beat on Friday. The result, though, was something of a bonus.

"What we were interested in was performance and there were areas we were happy with and others we have looked at in training this week."

Much talk throughout the pre-season has surrounded a possible change in Worcester's playing style. Keast, though, is adamant that the Warriors will tailor their side and style to each individual match.