WORCESTER'S boy wonder Andrew Higgins will make his full debut as the Gold 'n' Blues start their league campaign at Manchester tomorrow.

The England Under 18 star is in the starting line-up named director of rugby Les Cusworth has named for the Allied Dunbar Premiership Two opener.

Higgins, aged 18, was a virtual unknown a month ago but is starting the match after a scintillating display against Wasps last Saturday.

Lock Dave Sims is the only casualty from last week but Chris Raymond has been drafted into the team after recovering from a leg injury.

Ed Orgee has failed a fitness test so, James Cockle joins number eight Jim Jenner and open side flanker Nathan Carter in the back row with Dave Merlin starting on the replacements bench.

The sides last met at Sixways in February, 1997 when the Gold 'n' Blues edged a 17-10 victory in the old Courage National League Division Four North. The return match at Grove Park ended 23-23.

Manchester are set to include former Worcester winger Lee Feurer who moved on from Sixways in the summer.

The Swiss international spent 12 months at Worcester after being signed from Harrogate but only made one first team start.

"The boys are really fired up and raring to go," said Manchester director of rugby Alex Keay.

"We know Worcester will be one of the best sides in the league but they hold no fears for us."

Worcester's second string face a tough game at Sixways against a Bristol second XV which could include New Zealand All Black Frank Bunce (3.00).

Worcester: Hughes, Walker, Higgins, McLaughlin, Baxter, Yapp, Fenley, Lyman, Richards, Windo, Denhardt, Raymond, Cockle, Carter, Jenner. Replacements: Myler, Lofthouse, Harvey, Linnett, Ball, Lloyd, Merlin.

Worcester Seconds (from): Morgan, Morris, Swetman, Eastwood, Baker, Griffiths, Goodwin, Connolly, Ward, Powell, Robinson, Hall, Allison, W Lloyd, Scriven, Brown, Jones, Daws, Alvis, Lewins.