EXPERIENCED duo Jonathan Thomas and Chris Pennell will be rested for Worcester’s crucial British and Irish Cup clash against Munster ‘A’ in Cork on Friday (7.30pm).

The pair came through Warriors’ 31-12 home victory against Moseley last Saturday without any problems after having been out with lengthy injuries.

Head coach Carl Hogg says Warriors’ squad will have a few experienced heads as they attempt to secure top spot in Pool Three and a place in the quarter-finals.

“Thomas and Pennell were both fine and it was great for them to get 80 minutes under their belt against Moseley,” said Hogg. “They probably won’t travel to Munster.

“Our reintegration plan was for them to play a full 80 minutes, then do a training week and we will look to reintroduce them next week.

“A lot of the players who figured against Moseley will get a second chance.

“It will be a similar-looking side to the one that played last Saturday with one or two changes.”

Munster are second behind Warriors in the group and will aim to avenge a last-gasp 27-23 defeat at Sixways in October.

On that occasion, flanker Sam Betty crossed the whitewash in stoppage-time to give Warriors a memorable victory.

Friday’s fixture is being played at the Cork Institute of Technology.

Hogg added: “The boys are really excited about going across to Munster. It will be a great event and a great game.

“Munster present a different challenge to Moseley or Nottingham because they come from a different background and operate in a different league.

“We know the breakdown will be a big challenge for us because Munster bossed the second-half of the match at Worcester.

“But we were able to beat them at the death and I am sure they will be looking to exact some sort of revenge.

“It all adds to the spice of the competition.”