WORCESTER Warriors have named their 23-man squad for their Premiership clash with Newcastle at Sixways on Saturday.

The big news is that Scotland and British and Irish Lions winger Duhan van der Merwe is back following a quadriceps injury and starts on the left wing.

Van der Merwe is one of three changes to the side with Billy Searle returning at fly-half in place of Owen Williams and Jay Tyack making his first start of the season at tighthead prop.

Murray McCallum will switch to the loosehead to accommodate Tyack in the only change to the pack.

Props Kai Owen and Jack Owlett, lock Graham Kitchener and centre Oli Morris, who all started in Wednesday’s Premiership Rugby Cup match at Gloucester have all been named as replacements.

There is still no place in the squad for captain Ted Hill, but director of rugby Steve Diamond confirmed the back-row forward should be back next week.

Hill has been out with a hamstring injury since the season began and is yet to feature for Warriors in the 2022/23 campaign.

Fin Smith is also nearing a return to action following a broken jaw in training in pre-season.

Kyle Hatherell remains out of contention as he continues to work on a move away from the club, although there is still no update as to where he will end up.

Italian Renato Giammarioli has not been able to travel to Worcester yet due to a Visa delay having signed for the club in the summer.

Argentinian Santiago Medrano is still away on international duty with Argentina.