Cowan and Matavesi back, but Drauniniu ruled out (From Worcester News)

Cowan and Matavesi back for Worcester Warriors' Aviva Premiership trip to Gloucester, but Drauniniu ruled out

12:19pm Thursday 21st February 2013 in Sport By Tom Guest, @tomguestWN #WENsport

NUMBER eight Blair Cowan and centre Josh Matavesi are recalled by Worcester Warriors as they make the short trip down the M5 to face Gloucester in a televised Aviva Premiership clash at Kingsholm tomorrow night (7.45pm).

Cowan makes his first league start of the campaign as part of revamped back row as head coach Richard Hill makes a total of four changes to his starting line-up.

The other change in the pack comes at hooker as Ed Shervington is called up to partner Matt Mullan and Euan Murray, who misses the Scotland international game on Sunday due to religious reasons.

Centre Matavesi will partner Alex Grove in midfield, while the fit-again Chris Pennell takes the place of Josh Drauniniu, who is ruled out of the game through injury.

“Kingsholm is a very tough place to go - it’s a big derby under lights, but we normally perform well in these evening games,” said Hill.

“The players have been in good spirits despite the defeat to Northampton last weekend. They have come in and worked very hard and it all starts for us tomorrow.

“We need a couple of wins to get us away from that bottom area of the table and we will have to work very hard to try and get the first of them.

“Gloucester will pose very similar problems to us that Northampton did,” added Hill. “They have a very effective drive and when they played against London Wasps last weekend they were very powerful.

“They are a talented side and it will be a real challenge to us. Our defence will certainly be tested in the wider areas as they have got some very sharp players like Jonny May, Charlie Sharples and Rob Cook.

“They will pose threats all over the field and we have to be on our game. But I believe the atmosphere at Kingsholm will suit us and I’m convinced we will get a good performance.”

Warriors: Claassens; Pennell, Grove, Matavesi, Lemi; Goode, Arr; Mullan, Shervington, Murray, Percival, Schofield, Betty, Kvesic, Cowan. Replacements: Lutui, Ceri Jones, Andress, Gillies, Abbott, Hodgson, Gray, Clarke.