Sixways gets a glimpse of the future tomorrow as Rico Gear and Sam Tuitupou begin a Premiership game for Worcester Warriors at home for the first time.

Both men made their league debuts during the loss to London Irish last Sunday - to contrasting ends - in a match that was always going to prize substance over style.

Mike Ruddock's men eventually lost to a try three minutes from the end but Tuitupou coped admirably. His tackling was as solid, if not as spectacular, as had been billed before the game and he scored the Warriors' only try of the game with a dazzling burst through the middle off first phase. It was the sort of penetration they have lacked at inside centre ever since they escaped the National Leagues.

But Gear's contribution was fitful. He only touched the ball once in the first period, not much more in the second and missed a crucial tackle as Sailosi Tagicakibau broke free to score the late winner.

With Worcester at home this Saturday, however, both men will be expected to bring élan to the team's offensive play and Harlequins are expected to provide Warriors' with their opening win of the Premiership campaign.

Dean Richards' outfit has not won in any competition for two months. They have proved makeweights in their Heineken Cup pool, bothered no one in the EDF Energy Cup, have not won away in the league since February and owe their current standing of sixth to their early season form.

Rudduck is not taking anything for granted, though. Greg Rawlinson should make it a trio of All Blacks and they will need his muscular power.

"Harlequins are going to be wounded and hurting because they've lost a couple of games recently," the director of rugby said. "We beat them in the EDF Energy Cup too, so they know we are improving and are capable of getting a victory against them.

"I think they will be really fired up and a really dangerous animal coming to us. We've got to make sure we match that appetite and hunger that I'm sure they'll present."

As for Rawlinson, the giant lock missed out at the Madejski Stadium having picked up an ankle problem in Parma.

"We are hoping he will be fit," Rudduck said. "He almost made it in time for the London Irish game. He trained the day before that game, but it flared up on the morning of the match.

"It was wise to withdraw him because he couldn't have pushed in the scrums. He could have done more damage if he'd played and been out for more games, but hopefully he should now be OK for Harlequins.

"We will be looking to keep a similar side for the 'Quins game - we've got a panel of players we've settled on.

"There are still a lot of good players who could potentially force their way into the team, but - barring injuries - we are looking to keep a similar 25 players who we took to London Irish."