England star Dickson back in Saints starting line-up for Worcester clash

HE'S BACK - Lee Dickson returns to the Saints starting line-up for Saturday's game against Worcester (Picture: Linda Dawson)

The England scrum-half comes in for Kahn Fotuali’i, who will start the game on the bench, giving the Samoan a well-earned break from starting duties.

Jim Mallinder has also made two enforced changes, with Christian Day and Dom Waldouck, who both picked up leg injuries in last weekend’s win at Exeter, dropping out.

GJ van Velze is in for Day, with England Under 20 talent Tom Stephenson starting at 12 in place of Waldouck.

Sam Dickinson moves from No.8 to lock to accommodate van Velze, who will be playing against the side he is joining this summer.

Worcester have opted against handing a place in the squad to former Saints fly-half Ryan Lamb, who moved to the Warriors from Leicester on Monday.

Paul Warwick retains his place at 10, with boss Dean Ryan naming a similar side to the one which pushed Tigers close at Sixways last Friday.

Saints: Wilson; K Pisi, G Pisi, Stephenson, Elliott, Myler; L Dickson; A Waller, Haywood, Ma’afu; Manoa, Dickinson; Clark, Dowson (c), van Velze.

Replacements: McMillan, E Waller, Denman, Nutley, Harrison, Fotuali’i, Hooley, Autagavaia.

Worcester: Pennell; Drauniniu, Grove, Fatiaki, Lemi; Warwick, Arr; Fainga’anuku, Creevy, Andress; Schofield, Galarza; Senatore, Betty, Thomas (c).

Replacements: Brooker, Porter, O’Donnell, Percival, de Carpentier, Hodgson, Mieres, Hammond.