Rugby Union
Debut for De Carpentier

Buy photos » Richard de Carpentier signed a contract this week to remain at the club. Picture by Lee Webb.

NEW RECRUIT Richard de Carpentier has been handed his first team debut as Worcester Warriors take on Scarlets in their LV= Cup opener at Sixways tomorrow (Saturday, 3pm).

The former England Sevens international’s selection comes just a few days after the 22-year-old back row, who has been on trial at Warriors since the beginning of October, penned a full-time contract.

And assistant head coach Nigel Redman said he was delighted to welcome De Carpentier, who has previously played for Leicester Tigers, on board.

“Richard has done incredibly well since joining us on trial,” Redman said.

“He played against Newcastle in the Aviva A League and did exceptionally well and he’s made a massive impact in training. He offers a lot of quality and players get on with him.

“Richard will start his first game for us on Saturday against Scarlets so he’s got an opportunity to impress. He gives us another option in the back row and his presence will no doubt drive our standards upwards.”

De Carpentier will start at flanker along side Jake Abbott and Blair Cowan in the back row as Warriors name a team with an exciting blend of youth and experience for the clash against the Welsh outfit.

Wing Nikki Walker will make his comeback from injury while Jon Clarke also returns in the centre alongside Alex Grove. Jonny Arr and Joe Carlisle will again combine at half back.

Dean Schofield captains the team from the second row where he is paired with Chris Jones while George Porter and James Currie are named in the front row.

Redman admitted the competition provided him and head coach Richard Hill with the opportunity to assess the squad, while also work on the areas which they felt let them down in their disappointing 33-9 defeat to Exeter Chiefs last week.

“It is about turning chances into points for us,” Redman added.

“Against Exeter we had numerous visits into their 22, but with no reward. Getting there is one thing, but we have to now convert those into points.

“We have worked hard this week on it and we see these next two games - against Scarlets and away to London Wasps next week - as a great opportunity to integrate that into what we are doing.

“We started the season in a really positive manner, scoring tries, but we feel that the emphasis has dropped off, so are using these games to redress the balance.”

Warriors' side to face Scarlets: Pennell, Walker, Grove, Clarke, Short, Carlisle, Arr, Porter, Shervington, Currie, Schofield (c), Jones, de Carpentier, Abbott, Cowan

Replacements: Hayes, Jones, O’Donnell, Percival, Best, Frost, Goode, Howard

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