WORCESTER Warriors' Fin Smith will make his first Premiership Sixways start on Saturday afternoon for Worcester's fixture with Sale Sharks (3pm kick-off).

18-year-old Smith made his first Premiership start at The Rec against Bath last month but will now get another chance to show what he can do against the powerful Sale outfit, replacing Billy Searle, who drops out of the squad.

Openside flanker Sam Lewis, as expected, will make his first appearance in almost three months after recovering earlier than expected from surgery.

Lewis dislocated his right shoulder against Leicester Tigers in early February and was expected to be out of action for at least 12 weeks.

But the Welshman has regained fitness earlier than anticipated and comes straight into the starting XV for his 96th appearance since he joined from Ospreys as one of five changes to the side that faced Harlequins.

Tom Howe, who suffered a hip injury in a training match against Bristol Bears two weeks ago, is fit again starts on the right wing in place of Ed Fidow who has a hamstring strain.

In the pack Anton Bresler and Andrew Kitchener are reunited at second row for the first time since the second match of the season and become the fourth different lock combination in as many games.

Lock Justin Clegg returns to the squad as one of six forward replacements with Gareth Simpson covering half-back and Harri Doel, on loan from Scarlets, set for his second appearance having made his debut off the bench at Harlequins.

Wing Perry Humphreys, a late withdrawal last week, is still sidelined by a rib injury which he sustained against Northampton Saints last month.

Hooker Matt Moulds, who was due to make his comeback against Harlequins after 13 months out with a foot injury, again misses out having tweaked a hamstring in training.

As for the visitors, director of rugby Alex Sanderson makes nine changes to the side that beat Gloucester. 

Sharks’ Director of Rugby names academy graduates Bevan Rodd and Curtis Langdon alongside Will-Griff John in a complete switch of the Sale front-row.

The second row remains unchanged after an uncompromising performance from South African duo JP du Preez and Cobus Wiese in round 16.

Cameron Neild replaces Jean-Luc du Preez to take his place in an abrasive Sale back-row. Neild is joined by England international Tom Curry and Springbok Daniel du Preez. Curry captains the side tomorrow in the absence of Jono Ross.

Sharks stalwart Will Cliff returns to action against the Warriors and the Premiership veteran links up with AJ MacGinty to form a highly experienced half back partnership.

Another of the Sharks’ exciting crop of academy talent is named by Sanderson in the midfield, as Former England U20 captain Connor Doherty lines up at inside centre alongside Sam James.

Following another impressive try-scoring performance in Sale’s victory over Gloucester last weekend, the electric Arron Reed takes his place in the Sharks back three alongside Scotland’s Byron McGuigan and the elusive Simon Hammersley.

Warriors | 15 Jamie Shillcock, 14 Tom Howe, 13 Ollie Lawrence, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Alex Hearle, 10 Fin Smith, 9 Francois Hougaard, 1 Ethan Waller, 2 Niall Annett, 3 Nick Schonert, 4 Anton Bresler,

5 Andrew Kitchener, 6 Ted Hill (C), 7 Sam Lewis, 8 GJ van Velze.

Replacements | 16 Isaac Miller, 17 Marc Thomas, 18 Richard Palframan, 19 Justin Clegg, 20 Tom Dodd, 21 Matt Kvesic, 22 Gareth Simpson, 23 Harri Doel.

Unavailable | Conor Carey, Beck Cutting, Matt Cox, Nick David, Ed Fidow, Noah Heward, Perry Humphreys, Marco Mama, George Merrick, Oli Morris, Matt Moulds, Melani Nanai, Duncan Weir.

Sharks: