PREVIEW… Worcester v Gloucester-Hartpury Today, Kick-off 2.15pm live on BBCi player
WORCESTER Warriors head coach Jo Yapp has made five changes after last week's narrow loss to Bristol left them in eighth place.
Abi Kershaw replaces Cat McNaney, Carys Cox replaces Jade Shekells and Minori Yamamoto is in for Ellen Murphy at 10 in the backs.
In the forwards, Amelia Buckland Hurry comes in for Lyndsay O'Donnell and Jo Brown is replaced by Sioned Harris.
Winger Lydia Thompson said: “It's an awesome opportunity to play a local team in a big rivalry. They are coming off the back of a really good performance, so I'm sure they're going to be up for the occasion.
“We haven't been consistent, and we need some bonus point wins – things like that just help get you up the table. We haven't quite executed that, however we've shown some real glimpses of what we can do as a team.”
Coach Yapp said: “They've got some strong, talented players in the likes of Zoe Aldcroft and then people like Mo Hunt, who likes to keep the pace of the game high. So, it should be an exciting game.
Gloucester-Hartpury secured a huge 10-8 victory away to Exeter last week, moving up to sixth in the table.
Their dominant pack is unchanged after a near faultless display last weekend while in the backs, Sophie Tandy replaces Kelly Smith on the wing and England star Natasha ‘Mo' Hunt returns at No.9 in place of Bianca Blackburn.
Fixtures
Monday December 27: Harlequins v Wasps
