Clarke returns to face Wasps (From Worcester News)

Worcester Warriors centre Jon Clarke recalled for Aviva Premiership clash with London Wasps

12:00pm Thursday 28th February 2013 in Sport By Tom Guest, @tomguestWN #WENsport

WARRIORS centre Jon Clarke has been recalled to the starting line-up for Worcester’s clash with Wasps in the Aviva Premiership at Sixways tomorrow night (8pm).

Clarke replaces Josh Matavesi, who moves to the replacements bench, as head coach Richard Hill makes a total of four changes to this side.

Neil Best is named at blindside flanker and will partner Matt Kvesic and Blair Cowan in the back row. Chris Pennell returns to wear the number 15 jersey with Errie Claassens ruled out after being given a one-game ban following his red card at Gloucester last week. With Pennell moving to full back, Josh Drauniniu is named on the wing.

Hill said:"It is vital we keep the faith and know that if we keep playing and working hard then the win we all crave will come.

"It would be fantastic to record a good win in front of our fans and the players have been working extremely hard. Far from being down, recent events have only galvanised our squad.

"I watched Wasps play against Gloucester at home recently when they performed very well and they are undoubtedly a talented team that plays with a lot of width," he added.

"They are very dangerous out wide, with Tom Varndell and Christian Wade lethal, and you have got to cope with their big runners who give them go forward.

"We have to cut off the supply line to the wingers because they are the top two try scorers in the league and if we let them have space they will hurt us."

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