CHRIS Simpson-Daniel has been ruled out of Worcester's National One showdown at Leeds on Sunday after crashing his car.

The scrum-half drove into a tree near his home and after whiplash injuries were diagnosed early this week, the former England under-21 man was axed from the squad for the crunch clash at Headingley.

It is a bitter blow for the 22-year-old who has just re-established himself as the club's number nine after a knee injury.

He is the second Worcester star to be injured in a car crash after Andy Higgins hurt his knee earlier in the season.

Ricky Pellow is given the nod over Richard Jarman for the scrum-half spot while there is an expected return for Earl Va'a at fly-half. Fit again Andrew Lamerton also returns to the side at hooker, replacing Andrea Moretti.

Sixways' director of coaching Adrian Skeggs has decided to stick with Sateki Tuipulotu at full-back and gives wingers Nick Baxter and Spencer Bromley the chance to shine.

Despite a return to full fitness for Scott Barrow, Skeggs has gone with experience, opting to play the centre pairing of Alistair Murdoch and Rudi Keil.

The Australian explained that Simpson-Daniel's injuries were not serious but that the player was ruled out early in the week because he could not train with the rest of the squad.

"It gives Ricky a chance to play a big part in the match and possibly our future."

Pellow enjoyed a fine performance when the two teams last met back in September and helped Worcester overcome their Yorkshire rivals 40-13.

Worcester: Tuipulotu; Baxter, Murdoch, Keil, Bromley; Va'a, Pellow; Windo, Lamerton, Lyman, Sims, Zaltzman, Evans, Carter, Fryday. Reps: Jarman, Barrow, Yapp, Mather, Hartland, Webster, Moretti.