CRAIG Chalmers has been ruled out of Worcester Rugby Club's pre-season friendly at Irish side Clontarf tomorrow.

Scotland's record-breaking fly-half picked up a knee injury in training last week and head coach John Brain is not willing to risk the 32-year-old's fitness.

Chalmers, who arrived at Sixways this summer, is facing a race against time to be fit for Worcester's home friendly with Pontypool on August 18 and their final warm-up game at Sale seven days later.

However, Brain is confident Chalmers will be OK for selection in Worcester's National One opener with Manchester on September 1.

"Craig has some swelling on his knee," said Brain. "He picked up the niggle during some shuttle runs last week and it is still bothering him. We obviously do not want to aggravate it so he won't be involved on Saturday.

"The injury is not preventing him from walking but we are not sure about the extent of the damage at the moment.

"There is a question mark about his involvement in the Pontypool and Sale matches but I don't think there is a problem with regards Manchester."

Tony Yapp gets the nod at fly-half with new signing Duncan Roke set to play some part at number 10.

Brain revealed that academy starlets John Higgins and Dan Cullen are likely to be used as back-up for Chalmers and Yapp this season rather than bringing a third 'big name' stand-off to the club.

Dave Fryday will also miss the Clontarf match with a knee problem while prop Andy Collins is struggling with an ankle knock.

Andrew Lamerton has recovered from a knee injury but will not start the match which features debuts for new signings Chris Garrard, Winston Stanley, Chris Yates, Richard Smith, Kingsley Jones, Ben Clarke, Alejandro Moreno and Joe Ross.

Worcester: Tuipulotu; Garrard, Barrow, Yates, Stanley, Yapp, Smith; Jenner, Jones, Clarke, Sims, Zaltzman, Moreno, Ross, Windo. Replacements: Hinshelwood, Roke, Murdoch, Trueman, Moncrieff, Pellow, Carter, Nias, Evans, Morgan, Soper, Hall, Lamerton, Lyman, Davies.