RICHARD de Carpentier will get his second Aviva Premiership start of the season for Worcester Warriors when they take on Northampton at Sixways tomorrow (3pm).

The 23-year-old will line-up alongside Sam Betty and captain Jonathan Thomas in the back row against a Saints side who have lost just one Premiership game all season.

Mariano Galarza returns from international duty to partner James Percival in the second row, while the rest of the forwards remain unchanged from the clash with Sale Sharks last weekend.

In the backs, Paul Hodgson replaces the injured Jonny Arr at scrum-half, with Ignacio Mieres at number ten.

Dean Hammond and James Stephenson retain their starting berths on the wings but Josh Matavesi returns to the backline for the visit of last season's Aviva Premiership finalists.

Centre Max Stelling could be in line for his first Aviva Premiership appearance after being named amongst the replacements, while scrum-half Jeremy Su'a is poised to make his first Warriors appearance for over a month from the bench.

Head coach Carl Hogg said: "Injuries give an opportunity for someone like Richard to come in and operate against a top-class team. He and Sam Betty in the back row will give us lots of collision and energy and we need that because Saints' back five are strong.

"Also, with David Lemi out, it gives an opportunity for players like Stephenson and Hammond, which is important for the future of the club. They will certainly be tested this weekend.”

Warriors: Pennell; Stephenson, Grove, Matavesi, Hammond; Mieres, Hodgson; Fainga'anuku, Brooker, O'Donnell, Percival; Galarza; de Carpentier, Betty, Thomas. Replacements: Shervington, Porter, Andress, Williams, Jones, Su'a, Warwick, Stelling.