WORCESTER Warriors have made six changes to the starting line-up for Saturday’s Gallagher Premiership match against Saracens at Allianz Park (3pm).

Utility back Jamie Shillcock, wing Ed Fidow, fly-half Jono Lance, scrum-half Michael Heaney, prop Richard Palframan and number eight Gerrit-Jan van Velze all start.

There is no place for Chris Pennell with Shillcock, a try-scorer at Harlequins in November, given a chance to shine in the number 15 shirt while Francois Hougaard has been dropped to the bench.

Van Velze replaces the injured Cornell du Preez who suffered a blow to his ankle in last week’s 20-6 win over 14-man London Irish.

But the club captain will not lead out the team as hooker Matt Moulds who has skippered Warriors in their past two match retains the responsibility.

Du Preez joins an injury list that includes fly-half Duncan Weir (jaw), tighthead prop Nick Schonert (gashed head) and Perry Humphreys (unconfirmed) who all picked up knocks against Irish.

Palframan starts in place of Schonert with Lance called up to replace Weir and Fidow taking Humphreys’ spot on the wing.

Fidow will make his second Premiership appearance having recovered from concussion which he suffered after he had scored a hat-trick of tries against Wasps A in a recent Premiership Rugby Shield match. Melani Nanai remains sidelined with a shoulder problem.

Marco Mama returns to the squad after a two-month absence as back row replacement having recovered from a severe dead leg.

Utility back Scott van Breda is also named as a replacement after a run of impressive performances for Worcester Cavaliers and on two loan spells with Isuzu Southern Kings in the Guinness Pro-14 recently.

Centre Ollie Lawrence is set for a return to action off the bench having returned to action after a month out with an ankle injury in Monday’s win over Northampton Wanderers.

For Saracens, Alex Lewington returns to the wing meaning a switch to full-back for Elliot Daly while Alex Lozowski comes into the centre alongside captain Brad Barritt.

Scrum-half Richard Wigglesworth resumes his half-back partnership with England captain Owen Farrell and Scotland wing Sean Maitland completes the backline.

Ben Earl is back on the flank after coming off the bench in Saracens’ defeat at Exeter Chiefs and a change in the front row sees Titi Lamositele named at tighthead prop.

Academy duo Joel Kpoku and Manu Vunipola come in as replacements as does Richard Barrington while ex-Warriors hooker Jack Singleton has been named on the bench.

Warriors: Shillcock; Fidow, Beck, Mills, Howe; Lance, Heaney; Black, Moulds (C), Palframan, Bresler, Kitchener, Hill, Lewis, van Velze.

Replacements: Taufete’e, Bower, Carey, Fatialofa, Mama, Hougaard, van Breda, Lawrence.

Not considered due to injury: Niall Annett, Will Butler, Justin Clegg, Cornell du Preez, Dean Hammond, Alex Hearle, Perry Humpherys, Caleb Montgomery, Joe Morris, Oli Morris, Farai Mudariki, Melani Nanai, Nick Schonert, Francois Venter, Duncan Weir, Matti Williams.

Saracens: Daly; Maitland, Lozowski, Barritt ©, Lewington; Farrell, Wigglesworth; M Vunipola, George, Lamositele, Itoje, Skelton, Isiekwe, Earl, B Vunipola.

Replacements: Singleton, Barrington, Koch, Kpoku, Wray, Spencer, Manu Vunipola, Taylor.