Quinlan, who has been out for the last two weeks with a knee injury, replaces Luke Myring at inside centre, who misses this game following the effects of concussion.

Pat Barnard returns to the front row after his run out last weekend following his recovery from shingles, and Johnny Howard is back on the wing in the place of Scotland’s Sean Lamont. David Gerard and Mark Easter have also replaced Christian Short and Daniel Browne respectively.

Grayson said today: “Mark Easter deserves his chance. Daniel Browne has been a little in and out; he has carried the ball well but ade no impact in defence.

“David Quinlan was back to fitness to be considered for selection but after Luke was knocked out, the decision was taken out of my hands.

“Johnny has done well given his opportunities and had to sit out last week to gives Chris Wyles a chance. Johnny deserves to be back.”

Saints head to Sixways for a 3pm kick-off on Saturday. The men in black, green in gold won there twice last season but lost to Worcester at Franklin’s Gardens in September in the EDF Energy Cup.

“We do not want to heap pressure on ourselves, but this week is the same circumstances as last week but with slightly more pressure. Not having 13,500 fans screaming us on should not change the way we perform away from home; we take plenty of supporters away with us. This is a huge game for us.”

Northampton Saints

15 Ian Vass
14 Johnny Howard
13 Rhodri Davies
12 DAVID QUINLAN
11 Chris Wyles
10 CARLOS SPENCER
9 MARK ROBINSON
1 TOM SMITH
2 STEVE THOMPSON
3 Pat Barnard
4 Damien Browne
5 DAVID GERARD
6 PAUL TUPAI
7 Darren Fox (capt)
8 Mark Easter

16 Dylan Hartley
17 SOANE TONGA’UIHA
18 Matt Lord
19 Daniel Browne
20 Paul Diggin
21 VAUGHAN GOING
22 Rob Laird