POWERFUL centre Ben Te’o can be an X-factor player for the British and Irish Lions, insists Worcester Warriors head coach Carl Hogg.

Auckland-born Te’o will start for the Lions in their opening tour match in New Zealand against the Provincial Barbarians on Saturday.

Te’o made his England debut last autumn and played in all five matches in their Six Nations title triumph, scoring tries against France and Italy.

“Ben has definitely got an X-Factor,” said Hogg.

“His ability to hit a line and break the first line of tackle is phenomenal and he’s got good feet for a big man.”

Te’o, 30, joined Warriors last summer from Irish outfit Leinster and had a campaign disrupted by injury.

He made just 12 appearances for Warriors and scored four tries.

Hogg said: “The start to Ben’s Warriors’ career was a little bit disrupted through a couple of concussions but he’s raring to go now.

“We want to create a teamwork ethic that people want to come to Worcester Warriors for.

“That’s always the challenge we have been striving to achieve.

"The likes of Ben getting selected for the British and Irish Lions is a great flag bearer for us.

“Chris Pennell played for England not so long ago and that’s what we want to produce.

“We’ve got huge strength and depth in our academy and it’s our responsibility to develop them and hopefully to play for England.”

Academy hooker Jack Singleton and lock Will Spencer played for England against the Barbarians at Twickenham last Sunday.

Singleton has now been called into England’s squad for the summer tour to Argentina.

However, tighthead prop Nick Schonert has been ruled out of the two-Test series in South America through injury.

“We are an ambitious club and we want to produce our own international players who can go on and play for the Lions,” said Hogg.

“If we can attract somebody of Ben’s quality who is playing for England and making a huge impact on international scenes, that’s where we want to be as a club.

“We want to attract that quality of player and be able to develop our own who want to go on for England and ultimately the Lions.”

Te’o spent seven seasons in rugby league – playing for West Tigers, Brisbane Broncos and South Sydney Rabbitohs in Australia.

 Te’o featured in all three games of the 2013 State of Origin Series for Queensland and started as South Sydney Rabbitohs won the 2014 NRL Grand Final in his final game in league.

Te’o switched codes to join Leinster in 2014.

Hogg recalled: “When the Lions’ squad was being announced, we had a live link in the team room at Sixways.

“We were absolutely delighted for Ben when his name was read out and I am sure he will do us proud in New Zealand.”