JOHN Brain has warned Worcester Rugby Club's fly- halves that new signing Tim Marsh is gunning for the number 10 spot.

The Australian checked into Sixways this week to provide cover for Craig Chalmers and Jon Higgins in the wake of James Brown's back surgery that will keep him out of action until next year.

Marsh has been named in the Warriors' squad for their National One test at Plymouth tomorrow but director of rugby Brain does not believe the 23-year-old will be happy with warming the bench.

"I don't think Tim sees himself coming here as cover at 10," he added.

"That's the way we want it. He has come here to compete for a starting berth at 10. He's not the type of player that wants to sit on the bench. He's come to Worcester to make an impact. Initially he is contracted to us until the end of January but there is an option to extend his stay if he impresses in that period."

Meanwhile, Brain has made a number of changes to the starting line-up for Plymouth. Richard Bates and Gavin Pfister return to the back row in place of Jim Jenner and Neil Mason, while Craig Hudson comes in for Chris Garrard on the wing as Gary Trueman is preferred to David Officer at outside centre.

Chris Hall will continue at hooker if he passes a fitness test on his knee, while Christian Evans is pencilled in at blindside flanker if he recovers from a neck problem. Adrian Olver is back in the front row with Neil Lyman dropping to the bench.

Brain was also delighted to welcome back Werner Swanepoel at scrum-half after serving his suspension.

"It's certainly a boost to have him back. He is an important player for us but, we've been pleased with John O'Reilly while Werner has been out.

"We've made a number of changes to the side but the forward pack is almost the same to the one which did so well at London Welsh.

"We decided to rest Chris Garrard on the wing after he took a heavy knock to the face against Moseley. We didn't want to play him when he was not 100 per cent.

"It means that Craig Hudson comes in and has a chance to impress ."

Worcester: Roke; Ezulike, Trueman, Hinshelwood, Hudson; Chalmers, Swanepoel; Windo, Hall, Olver, Gabey, Morgan, Evans, Pfister, Bates. Reps: O'Reilly, Officer, Walsh, Ly-man, Pearson, Gillies, Jenner.