Mullan leads Warriors against the Scarlets (From Worcester News)

Mullan leads Warriors against the Scarlets

1:44pm Friday 17th August 2012 in Sport

ENGLAND prop Matt Mullan will captain Worcester Warriors when they entertain Scarlets in a pre-season fixture at Sixways Stadium tomorrow (3pm).

The front-rower will pack down for this first start of the pre-season campaign as head coach Richard Hill makes several changes from the side that defeated Cardiff Blues last weekend.

Only Errie Claassens, who moves to full back, and young academy prospect Ben Howard remain in a much-changed back division.

Jonny Arr and Joe Carlisle form a new half-back pairing while Josh Matavesi will join forces in midfield with Jon Clarke as the two new centres make their first starts in Worcester colours at Sixways. Josh Drauniniu is named on the opposite wing to Howard.

Prop John Andress also makes his first start on home soil in the front row alongside skipper Mullan and Aleki Lutui. Giant number eight Semisi Taulava will also make his Sixways bow.

Hill revealed he expects a stern test from Scarlets but has set his side the task of aiming to remain unbeaten throughout pre-season before the big kick-off at home to Bath on Saturday, September 1.

Warriors: Claassens; Howard, Clarke, Matavesi, Drauniniu; J Carlisle, Arr; Mullan, Lutui, Andress, Percival, Gillies, Jones, Betty, Taulava. Replacements: Hayes, Jones, O’Donnell, Schofield, Kvesic, Dacres, Taylor, Frost, Goode, Stelling, Pennell, Nellany.