The game also marks Stuart Abbott's 50th league appearance in a Wasps shirt. The talented centre has had to battle all the way to get to the half century after an injury chequered past two seasons, returning briefly from a shoulder injury last year only to be sidelined again with a broken leg that meant he missed the rest of 2004-5.

McGeechan knows he is up against tough opposition at the weekend. Worcester are ahead in term of recent results, having beaten the Londoners twice in two seasons, the first a pre-season friendly in August 2003 and the second a shock victory at Sixways last November.

Speaking about the opposition, McGeechan said, "They have made an impressive start to the season and are playing with confidence. When I watched the two teams play at the Causeway last season, the first Wasps match I saw since taking up the post, they gave us a good run for our money and we had to tough it out for the win.

"However, our attitude in training in recent weeks has been first class. Competition for shirts remains high, as the injury list is looking healthily short, and that approach is being reflected at the moment in a good run of results.

"We will need to be on top of our game on Sunday. Worcester's strength is in their pack and they will be a handful at both set piece and breakdown."

The Wasps team to face Worcester is:

15 Mark Van Gisbergen
14 Paul Sackey
13 Ayoola Erinle
12 Stuart Abbott
11 Tom Voyce
10 Alex King
9 Matt Dawson

1 Tim Payne
2 Raphael Ibanez
3 Jon Dawson
4 Martin Purdy
5 Richard Birkett
6 John Hart (c)
7 Jonny O'Connor
8 Joe Worsley

16 Ben Gotting
17 Peter Bracken
18 Simon Shaw
19 Mark Lock
20 Eoin Reddan
21 James Brooks
22 Fraser Waters

Issued on behalf of Worcester Warriors

Worcester Warriors have named one change in the starting line-up to face London Wasps at the Causeway Stadium on Sunday 25th September, (kick-off 3pm)

Drew Hickey has failed to regain match fitness after picking up a shoulder injury, and will be replaced by Kai Horstmann, who will be wearing the number eight shirt.

Tight-head prop Chris Horsman has shaken off a knock on his ankle and has been named in the starting 15. Horsman limped off in Worcester's win against Saracens last weekend, but has won the battle for fitness. He will line up alongside Andre Van Niekerk and Tony Windo in the Worcester front row.

Nicolas Le Roux, who made his sparkling debut against Saracens has retained his place at full-back, whilst Andy Gomarsall and Shane Drahm will form the half-back pairing.

"Whilst we've been reasonably happy with our start to the season we know that Sunday's game represents our biggest test so far.  Wasps are a quality team and they've had a very good start to the season.  We will need to be at our best to get anything out of the game" said John Brain, Worcester's director or rugby.

Worcester Warriors team to face London Wasps:
15. Nicolas Le Roux
14. Jonny Hylton
13. Dale Rasmussen
12. Thomas Lombard
11. Ben Hinshelwood
10. Shane Drahm
9.   Andy Gomarsall
8.   Kai Horstmann
7.   Pat Sanderson (Captain)
6.   Siaosi Vaili
5.  Craig Gillies
4.  Phil Murphy
3.  Chris Horsman
2.  Andre Van Niekerk
1.  Tony Windo

Replacements:
16. Tevita Taumoepeau
17. Chris Fortey
18. Tim Collier
19. Johnny Tuamoheloa
20. Matt Powell
21. Gary Trueman
22. Thinus Delport