ANDY Keast is hoping to involve Ben Hinshelwood in Worcester Rugby Club's opening pre-season friendly next Saturday.

The Sixways coach wants the centre to play in the home match with Stourbridge but is well aware that the Scottish camp will now be encroaching on his time more and more as the build up to the World Cup continues.

Hinshelwood is likely to be ruled out of Worcester's remaining pre-season games with Neath-Swansea and Wasps because of international friendlies with Italy (August 23) and Wales (August 30).

However, Keast believes it would be in Hinshelwood's interests to have some game-time against Stourbridge before he goes into the Italian job.

"He hasn't played since January," said Keast.

"So I think it would be useful for him to play against Stourbridge because he needs game-time now.

"He is with Scotland next week but I am hoping he will be back for the friendly.

"I think it would be asking a lot, having not played for eight months, to go straight into an international."

Hinshelwood looks odds on to be included in Scotland's final World Cup party but he still has to convince the management he has overcome his broken leg and ankle ligament damage suffered in January.

He looks set to play a part in the pre-World Cup friendlies and could even play for Worcester in their all-important clash with Orrell on September 13. Hinshelwood may even play at Bedford seven days later before he jets off to Australia for the World Cup.