FLANKERS Dewald Potgieter and Carl Kirwan could make their Aviva Premiership debuts for Worcester Warriors against Bath at Sixways on Saturday (3pm).

South African Potgieter, who won six caps for the Springboks, arrived at Sixways this week after signing a deal until the end of next season.

And former London Welsh skipper Kirwan has played in six European Challenge Cup matches since joining Warriors in the summer.

Warriors director of rugby Dean Ryan has hinted at changes to the pack after their dismal 20-13 defeat against relegation rivals London Irish.

Worcester struggled at the breakdown against the Exiles and conceded too many soft penalties as they slipped to a 12th successive defeat.

Warriors are 10th in the table and face an out-of-sorts Bath side beaten in their last six matches.

Ryan said: “I think it would be interesting timing to let him (Kirwan) loose this weekend.

“We haven’t made the decision yet but he’s somebody who could freshen things up a bit and has a different way of playing and is hungry.

“One thing we were missing last weekend was hunger so he’s certainly put himself in the picture.”

Ryan added: “Carl came from a system (at London Welsh) that wasn’t particularly organised and did a lot of things individually.

“It has taken him three or four months to get up to being in a system where he’s responsible for getting his job right and other people are responsible for getting their bits right.”

Ryan is delighted to have secured the services of 28-year-old Potgieter, who had been plying his trade in Japan with Yamaha Jubilo.

Flanker Sam Lewis is facing a campaign on the sidelines after suffering nerve damage in a pre-season match and fellow back rower Marco Mama is returning to Bristol at the end of this month after his loan spell at Sixways.

“Potgieter is captain material and a class player who wants to get involved, said Ryan.

“We always said the Japanese window would open certain opportunities for us and it has.

"He’s been a fantastic influence in a difficult week but with the maturity we knew he had, he has handled it perfectly.

“He was outstanding for the Blue Bulls and captained them in a period of success.

“He played for South Africa and then disappeared off the radar in Japan.

“He (Potgieter) can play across the back row. He won’t be lacking in willingness and I think his commitment to the cause is what separates him from everybody else.”

Experienced South African scrum-half Francois Hougaard is being linked with a short-term deal at Warriors.

Hougaard has played 35 Tests for South Africa and is sacrificing a Super Rugby season to make the Springbok sevens team for the Rio Olympics this year.

Ryan said: “I think he’s a pretty outstanding player but the time is running out.

“We are in danger of being linked with everyone who potentially needs the publicity but if people are available and of the right calibre and person, we will move.

"Dewald is a fantastic example of that. He’s a fantastic person to have as we build this business. I think we are very lucky to have got him.”