Worcester v Nottingham: Warriors still without injured Chris Pennell

Chris Pennell scored his first try in an England shirt in the 38-7 victory against Crusaders at Christchurch in June

Worcester full-back Chris Pennell will miss his third successive game with a groin injury as the Warriors play host to Nottingham at Sixways.

The England international suffered the problem prior to the opening-day defeat at expected title rivals Bristol.

He played in Worcester's last-minute 23-19 defeat at Ashton Gate but is now being nursed back slowly, to ensure that he does not do any further damage.

Stand-off Tiff Eden makes his first start, one of six Worcester changes.

Eden, who has been used off the bench in two of Worcester's opening three league games, scored for the midweek Cavaliers side in a 52-21 win over Leicester Tigers on Monday night, while Max Stelling comes in for Alex Grove at centre and Jonny Arr is recalled at scrum-half

There are also three changes in the pack, as Darren O'Shea makes his Warriors debut at lock following his summer move from Munster, Dan George is given the nod at hooker and flanker Matt Cox also returns.

Nottingham took a losing bonus point from their last visit to Sixways - a 35-28 defeat on 29 October, 2010.

Worcester, relegated in April after three seasons in the Premiership, are bidding to record a third straight home league win for the first time in almost two years.

Warriors: Howard; Smith, Stelling, Symons, Biggs; Eden, Arr; Bower, George, Schonert, Percival, O'Shea, Williams, Cox, Van Velze (capt).

Replacements: Annett, Daniels, Val Rapava, Ruskin, Sanderson, Mulchrone, Mieres, Grove.