FRANCOIS Hougaard returns to the Worcester Warriors side for Sunday’s Aviva Premiership crunch clash with London Irish at the Madejski Stadium (1pm).

The South African scrum-half is one of two changes to the starting line-up who beat Gloucester 25-15 at Sixways last weekend with Alafoti Faosiliva replacing Scotland international David Denton in the back row.

Hougaard is joined by 20-year-old Jamie Shillcock in the half-back combination while Ryan Mills and Jackson Willison keep their places in the centre for the ninth consecutive Premiership game.

Warriors and Premiership top try-scorer Josh Adams starts again in a potent back three alongside Bryce Heem and Chris Pennell.

The pack sees Ethan Waller, Jack Singleton and Nick Schonert line up in the front row while skipper Donncha O’Callaghan is partnered by the in-form Darren Barry in the second row.

Faosiliva joins Sam Lewis and GJ van Velze in the back row with the latter making his 60th club appearance which all have been starts.

Will Spencer has recovered from illness to make the replacements as Warriors opt for six forwards on the bench.

Alan Solomons’ side will look to win three Premiership games in a row for the first time since March 2016 when they defeated Newcastle Falcons, Gloucester, Harlequins and Irish.

Exiles make two changes from last week’s 25-17 loss at Northampton Saints with back row Conor Gilsenan and centre Johnny Williams getting the nod in the starting XV.

Irishman Gilsenan replaces Max Northcote-Green at openside flanker while academy graduate Williams comes in for Luke McLean.

Ex-Warriors player Blair Cowan, who missed the trip to Northampton due to family reasons, has not trained this week and is unavailable for selection.

Warriors: Pennell; Heem, Willison, Mills, Adams; Shillcock, Hougaard; Waller, Singleton, Schonert, O’Callaghan, Barry, Faosiliva, Lewis, van Velze. Replacements: Haupt, Bower, Milasinovich, Bresler, Spencer, Cox, Arr, Hammond.

Irish: Marshall; Cokanasiga, Fowlie, Williams, Lewington; Tonks, van Zyl; Franks, Paice, Hoskins, van der Merwe, Paulo, Botha, Gilsenan, Treviranus. Replacements: Porecki, Elrington, Du Plessis, De Chaves, Schatz, Steele, Bell, Tikoirotuma.