Hill: Prepared for aerial bombardment

The former England scrum-half and his newly-promoted side head to face the defending champions on the back of a disappointing performance in their 29-8 derby defeat at Gloucester last weekend.

And if they are to bounce back from that reverse Hill knows the Warriors will need to neutralise Saracens' highly effective kicking game which, while not winning them many plaudits, has been a key factor in their success over the last two seasons.

"Saracens have got a very good defence and pride themselves on it," said Hill.

"They are a very physical side and they play a territorial kicking game and don't play too much rugby in their own half.

"We haven't played a team that kicks a lot and our back three have not been tested with high balls or long kicks, but they will be tested at Saracens. They will kick for territory and our back three will have to make good decisions.

"Saracens also have a very definite attacking strategy. The rugby world know how Saracens play, it is just a question of stopping them. They are very efficient and organised."

That Saracens kicking game will be marshalled by Charlie Hodgson, with the England fly-half being handed a first start over Owen Farrell, despite the youngster nailing the crucial late penalty to beat Bath last time out.

There is also a start for former Bath wing Joe Maddock instead of James Short.

Hill, meanwhile, has made six changes to his Worcester side.

Andy Goode and Jonny Arr replace Joe Carlisle and Shaun Perry to form the half-back combination while Chris Jones is handed a first start of the campaign at lock.

Alex Crockett comes in for the suspended Dale Rasmussen in the centre with prop Bruce Douglas and flanker Matt Kvesic also starting.

For centre Crockett this will be a first Premiership appearance since May 2009, since then the former Bath man has served a nine-month ban for refusing to take a drugs test before returning to the game in the Championship with Bristol and then Worcester.