there will be no less than 13 different nationalities in the 44 players of the 2 sides.

The wide range of nationalities in French, English and Welsh squads has give we spectators the chance to see some of the best rugby talent from around the world in the last few years. This will change as of the 2010/11 season as France apply a salary cap (as yet un-defined) and limit the number of non French players in the club squads. I'm not sure how European employment laws apply in this case but I'm sure the FRU have got their legal experts looking into this currently.

There is no such limit in the English game and Wales seem to have a more liberal approach to non home grown layers as Newport Gwent Dragons have signed 4 or 5 New Zealanders for next season.

I can see the attraction of bringing known quantities as players to an ailing squad but in the case of the Welsh and Irish regions I think it may back fire on the National teams. In Wales' case, for example, there are only 4 slots for any one position in the regions, with around 8 to 10 players vying for those places, so if 4 of those places are taken by a non Welsh qualified player then that leavesvery few places if you are looking to bring on young talent for the Welsh National side. A case that illustrates the issue for me is Andy Powell of Cardiff Blues. He got his chance to start for the Blues on a regular basis only when Xavier Rush picked up an injury which kept him out of the Blues 8 shirt for the Heineken cup group stages. Fair play to Andy, he really stepped up to the plate and his performances elevated him to the Welsh side for the Autumn Internationals and the 6 Nations. But if Xavier Rush hadn't been injured, would he have got that opportunity?

England have a different issue in that, although there are more clubs to absorb non English players, the fact that there is relegation, has led to promoted clubs bolstering their sides with players from outside the UK. Worcester, in their first season, were accused of not supporting English rugby due to having few English qualified players in their squad initially. This has changed each season we have been in the premiership to a point now where we have many English qualified players coming through the academy. But in order to survive the initial first couple of season it was essential to strengthen the squad with overseas players.

I am not sure that limiting players from outside a playing union is the way to go but it may become inevitable as pressure grows for National sides to perform. I for one love being able to see the likes of Chris Latham, Marco Bortalami, Sebastian Chebal, Carl Hayman and Aleki Lutui playing in English rugby and would be sorry if there were fewer players of that ilk playing in the Guinness Premiership

Predicted Worcester Warriors starting 15

Matt Mullan England
Aleki Lutui Tonga
Darren Morris Wales
Greg Rawlinson New Zealand/South Africa
Will Bowley England
Tom Wood England
Pat Sanderson England
Kai Horstmann England
Ryan Powell Wales
Matt Jones Wales
Miles Benjamin England
Alex Grove Scotland
Dale Rasmussen Samoa
Marcel Garvey England
Rico Gear New Zealand

The Replacements

The Brive First 15 last time out against Toulouse

Pierre CAPDEVIELLE France
Steve THOMPSON England
Petru BALAN Romania
Arnaud MELA France
Christian SHORT Ireland
Antonie CLAASSEN South Africa
Alix POPHAM Wales
Gerhard VOSLOO South Africa
Liam DAVIES Wales
Andy GOODE England
Régis BIANCO France
Ronnie COOKE South Africa
Lachlan MACKAY Australia
Horacio AGULLA Argentina
Barry DAVIES Wales

The Replacements

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