HUW Taylor will lead a Worcester Warriors development side against Bristol in the first match on the new artificial grass pitch at Sixways tomorrow (7.15pm).

Twelve academy youngsters are in the squad, along with senior players Max Stelling, Tiff Eden, Derrick Appiah and former Bristol back row Marco Mama.

Mama, of course, finished last season at Bristol and helped the Ashton Gate club to promotion from the Championship.

The last time the sides met was in the Championship play-off final second leg in May 2015 when a last-gasp conversion from Ryan Lamb secured Warriors' promotion back to the top flight.

Jamie Shillcock starts at 15 in a back three which includes Warriors under 18 youngster Alex Hearle and Welsh wing Josh Adams, fresh from his impressive showing at the Singha Premiership Sevens where he bagged five tries.

Stelling starts in the centres alongside Will Butler while Tiff Eden partners George de Cothi in the half-back combination.

Appiah, Jack Singleton and Joe Morris start in the front row with the giant Charlie Hewitt and Andrew Kitchener in the second row.

Taylor leads the side from a back row which includes the experienced Mama and a return to match action for academy flanker Zac Xiourouppa, who spent most of last season on the sidelines with injury.

Warriors defence coach Simon Cross will be overseeing the development side.

He said: "It's a great occasion for this young squad to be the first to play on the new Sixways turf and they're all hungry to show what they can do.

"Bristol is always a great test. I'm sure Friday will be no different so we're looking forward to it and hoping we can get the new era on the new turf underway with a win.”

Complimentary tickets for the match are available by calling 01905 459309 while car parking will be available on the night on a first-come, first-served basis.

Warriors:

15 Jamie Shillcock

14 Alex Hearle (Warriors Under 18s)

13 Max Stelling

12 Will Butler

11 Josh Adams

10 Tiff Eden

9 George de Cothi

1 Derrick Appiah

2 Jack Singleton

3 Joe Morris

4 Charlie Hewitt

5 Andrew Kitchener

6 Huw Taylor (C)

7 Zac Xiourouppa

8 Marco Mama.

Replacements

16 Beck Cutting (Warriors Under 18s)

17 Joe White (Luctonians)

18 Justin Clegg

19 Sam Ripper-Smith

20 Tom Dodd

21 Jacob Nash (Nottingham)

22 Colin Dickson (unattached)

23 Conor Bullivant (Nottingham)