"Great decision-maker" Gerrit-Jan van Velze saluted by Worcester Warriors chief Dean Ryan

Van Velze made his comeback after a knee operation in Worcester’s 35-11 defeat at La Rochelle in last week’s European Challenge Cup clash.

The South African back rower’s last Premiership outing was in Warriors’ 48-18 humbling by defending champions Saracens at Twickenham in November.

Van Velze scored a try but had knee surgery afterwards and missed Premiership defeats to Leicester Tigers, Bath, Harlequins and Wasps.

However, van Velze, 27, will line up against Exeter Chiefs at Sixways tomorrow (3pm).

Ryan said: “We look a different team when he is out there. He’s got authority, settles people and gives clear direction. During his 50 minutes at La Rochelle, it was not surprising we looked more solid and I am pleased to have him back.

“He’s a very influential person in the group and a great decision-maker for a coach to have. He thinks about the game very similarly to us and is empowered to impose that on the opposition.”

Van Velze, who arrived from Northampton Saints in 2014, made 23 appearances last term and led Warriors back to the Premiership.

Warriors are 10th in the Premiership and have lost their last 10 first-team matches since their 19-3 home European victory over La Rochelle on November 14.

Second-placed Chiefs have won all six previous Premiership matches against Warriors. Worcester’s last victory over Chiefs was in 2004 in National League One.

Chiefs are the Premiership’s top try-scorers with 30 and have lost just one of their last eight league matches.

Warriors: Pennell, Heem, Olivier, Mills, Vuna, Heathcote, Baldwin; Leleimalefaga, Annett, Schonert, O’Callaghan, Barry, Dowson, Mama, van Velze. Replacements: Sowrey, Bower, Johnston, Cavubati, Cox, Mulchrone, Symons, Hammond.

Exeter: Dollman, Woodburn, Campagnaro, Whitten, Short, Steenson, Chudley; Hepburn, Yeandle, Francis, J Hill, Parling, Armand, Salvi, Waldrom. Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, Moon, Brown, Atkins, Horstmann, Lewis, Hooley, S Hill.