WARRIORS wing Bryce Heem returns from a mid-season break in his native New Zealand for Sunday’s Premiership Rugby Cup Derby Day match against Wasps at Sixways (kick-off 3pm).
Heem scored two tries, including the winner in the 19th minute of added time, in the dramatic victory over Bath in Warriors’ last Gallagher Premiership match four weeks ago.
Heem missed the last-gasp European Challenge Cup victories over Ospreys and Stade Francais which secured Warriors a home quarter-final against Harlequins next month but he returned to Sixways this week.
He returns to action along with Scotland fly-half Duncan Weir and South African internationals Francois Venter and Francois Hougaard who also last played against Bath.
Venter resumes his centre partnership with Ryan Mills, who played at fly-half against Ospreys and Stade Francais, with Weir regaining the number 10 jersey.
Tighthead prop Nick Schonert returns from injury and Anton Bresler starts in the second row with Michael Fatialofa ruled out by a shoulder injury.
International commitments at senior or Under-20s level rule out centres Ben Te’o and Ollie Lawrence, winger Josh Adams hooker Joe Taufete’e, lock James Scott and blindside flanker Ted Hill.
Warriors
15 Chris Pennell
14 Bryce Heem
13 Francois Venter
12 Ryan Mills
11 Dean Hammond
10 Duncan Weir
9 Francois Hougaard
1 Callum Black
2 Jack Singleton
3 Nick Schonert
4 Anton Bresler
5 Pierce Phillips
6 Marco Mama
7 Sam Lewis
8 GJ van Velze (C)
Replacements
16 Niall Annett
17 Ethan Waller
18 Gareth Milasinovich
19 Darren Barry
20 Matt Cox
21 Michael Heaney
22 Will Butler
23 Nick David