WORCESTER Warriors will kick off their pre-season campaign against Italian side Viadana at Sixways on Friday, August 11.

It is the first of three friendlies organised by the club, who then travel to Cardiff Blues on Saturday, August 19, and finish their preparations by hosting another Italian outfit, Calvisano, on Friday, August 25.

The Cardiff match will start at 3pm, while both Sixways fixtures will take place in the evening, with kick-off times to be confirmed nearer the time.

The players are due to report back for pre-season training on June 26 and prop Chris Horsman, who missed most of last season with an ankle problem, is expected to be fit enough to join his team-mates.

Another long-term injury victim, lock Tim Collier, has been suffering from an infection following shoulder surgery. But despite his problems, director of rugby John Brain expects Collier to be fit to play some part in the pre-season programme.

Others to have gone under the knife include wing Aisea Havili (shoulder) and flanker Tom Harding (hip).

The recovery period on both of those players is three months and Brain is hopeful they will be available to feature in at least one of the pre-season matches.