WILL Spencer and Nick Schonert will return to action tomorrow night when Warriors take on Newcastle Falcons in the Aviva Premiership season opener at Kingston Park (kick-off 7.45pm).
The pair haven’t featured for Warriors in pre-season but are straight into the side which is led by new club captain Donncha O’Callaghan.
Schonert starts in the front row with Ryan Bower and Jack Singleton, whilst Spencer accompanies O’Callaghan in the second row.
Number eight GJ van Velze returns to the side for his first competitive game in what is almost a year to the day since his last appearance, after returning from a concussion setback.
Vice-captain Van Velze is joined in the back row by Welshman Sam Lewis and Matt Cox, while Jonny Arr and Tom Heathcote form the half-back combination.
Jackson Willison and Wynand Olivier form an experienced centre partnership while Josh Adams, Bryce Heem and Dean Hammond occupy the back three.
New signings Ethan Waller, Pierce Phillips, Peter Stringer and Sam Olver are all named on the bench and could make their debuts should they feature in the North.
England and British and Irish Lions star Ben Te’o is also among the replacements.
Warriors side to face Newcastle:
15 Josh Adams, 14 Dean Hammond, 13 Wynand Olivier, 12 Jackson Willison, 11 Bryce Heem, 10 Tom Heathcote, 9 Jonny Arr, 1 Ryan Bower, 2 Jack Singleton, 3 Nick Schonert, 4 Donncha O’Callaghan (C), 5 Will Spencer, 6 Matt Cox, 7 Sam Lewis, 8 GJ van Velze
Replacements: 16 Joe Taufete’e, 17 Ethan Waller, 18 Biyi Alo, 19 Pierce Phillips, 20 Alafoti Faosiliva, 21 Peter Stringer, 22 Sam Olver, 23 Ben Te’o
Newcastle side to face Warriors:
15 Simon Hammersley, 14 Alex Tait, 13 Chris Harris, 12 Josh Matavesi, 11 Belisario Agulla, 10 Joel Hodgson, 9 Sonatane Takulua, 1 Rob Vickers, 2 Kyle Cooper, 3 Jon Welsh, 4 Calum Green, 5 Will Witty, 6 Mark Wilson, 7 Will Welch (C), 8 Callum Chick
Replacements: 16 Scott Lawson, 17 Sami Mavinga, 18 Trevor Davison, 19 Tevita Cavubati, 20 Nili Latu, 21 Sam Stuart, 22 Craig Willis, 23 Juan Pablo Socino