WORCESTER Warriors prop Joe Rees believes there will be "no quarter given" against Leicester Tigers in Saturday's Aviva Premiership clash at Sixways (3pm).

The 25-year-old Welshman is in line to make his first Premiership start after Nick Schonert suffered a nasty facial injury in Warriors’ 48-18 humbling against Saracens at Twickenham.

Schonert needed 40 stitches in his cheek after appearing to be caught by an opposition player’s boot during the second half of Saturday’s heavy defeat.

South African-born Schonert is likely to have a spell on the sidelines, while he recovers from the injury, which could mean a starting berth for former Ospreys forward Rees.

“It was a big game against Saracens and it’s now on to the next one,” said Rees, who replaced Schonert at Twickenham and scored his first Warriors try.

“Hopefully, we can right the wrongs of Twickenham and put in a good performance.

“We worked hard last year to come into this league and play against the big boys.

“We’ve played Saracens and we’ve now got Leicester Tigers – that’s two of the biggest teams in the country back to back."

A bumper crowd is expected at Sixways after third-placed Tigers fought their way to a 21-11 victory over Bath on Sunday in front of 22,530 fans at Welford Road.

The showdown will signal a return to Worcester for powerhouse forward Mike Williams, who has been starring for Tigers since leaving Warriors at the end of last term.

“Mike is a great player and he will be trying hard,” said Rees.

“He’s gone to Leicester and done exceptionally well which I don’t think any of us doubted.

“It will be nice to see him but when we get on to the pitch we will know what’s coming.

“The boys will be going at each other and there will be no quarter given."

Rees had a memorable moment against Saracens, barging over for his maiden Warriors try.

“It doesn’t happen too often for props,” said Rees.

“Bryce Heem put me in a gap after he had done most of the work but it was nice to get a little rumble with the ball.

“I was a bit shocked – I am not used to scoring tries. It was nice feeling when I got up and all of the boys patted me on the back. I could also hear the crowd cheering”

Rees added: "We could have crumbled against Saracens but we stuck together and proved we can play a bit of rugby and we showed our character.”

Rees made 24 appearances for Warriors last term and has come on as a replacement in five Premiership matches so far.

He said: “I am working hard to get on to the team, but Nick Schonert is playing very well so it is proving tough to get into the team. We’re mates but we are scrapping at the same time. We both want to start."

Tigers have an array of experience in their squad with a front row of Marcos Ayerza, Tom Youngs and Dan Cole.

“It’s one of the biggest games of the season, so you hope the crowd will come to cheer us on,” said Rees.

“There will be some fantastic players on the pitch and I believe we can put in a good performance.”