RUSSELL Earnshaw will be handed his full debut as Worcester Warriors square up to Bedford Blues.

The openside flanker comes in for his first start in Saturday's National One clash at Sixways (3pm).

Earnshaw, who signed earlier this month from Rotherham, gets his opportunity with Gavin Pfister suffering from a hamstring injury.

Tommy Hayes is also ruled out with a hamstring so coaches John Brain and Andy Keast have recalled Wes Davies on the wing, while Daren O'Leary moves to full back. In the pack, Earnshaw comes in while Dan Zaltzman replaces Mark Gabey in the second row to give the utility forward a rest.

Worcester, enjoying a seven-point lead over Orrell in the promotion race, have the chance to make it 16 successive victories and extend their advantage over their rivals.

Orrell, with Worcester's 15-7 win at Edge Hall Road last weekend still fresh in their minds, have the toughest of tests at in-form Plymouth Albion and defeat could leave them 12 points behind the Sixways club come Saturday night.

"We rate Plymouth," said Keast. "They have just beaten Coventry by 50 points and then travelled to Otley and won with a four-try haul.

"We know they're a good side and especially at home so Orrell are well aware that they've got a test on their hands. However, there's nothing we can do about Orrell. We have to concentrate on ourselves and our game against Bedford."

Worcester beat the Blues 31-20 back in September at Goldington Road but the performance was far from convincing. Keast, however, believes the squad have come a long way since then.

"The squad have grown," he added. "We knew we only played for 40 minutes there and we were just pleased to get the five points.

"In saying that, we've come a long, long way since then. The squad are desperate to improve and to be the best that they can.

"The response this week after the Orrell result has been very good, very professional. There's no hint of complacency setting in.

"The players want to win every single game this season and they've set themselves that target."

Team: O'Leary; Garrard, Hinshelwood, Trueman, Davies; Brown, Swanepoel; Windo, Daly, Lyman, Zaltzman, Gillies, C Evans, Earnshaw, Hickey. Replacements: Powell, Higgins, Officer, Hall, Fortey, Gabey, Bates.