Akina Gondwe makes a welcome return as Warriors Women welcome DMP Durham Sharks to Sixways on Saturday for an Allianz Premier 15s clash (kick-off 2pm).

The former England-under 20 player has been out of action since the beginning of December after sustaining a knee injury against Exeter Chiefs.

Gondwe works in the club’s Community Rugby department and will join Carys Phillips and Carme Tremelling in the front-row.

Phillips, who captains the side, is one of three Wales internationals who return to the line-up after missing last week’s trip to Harlequins due to being in camp.

The other two Welsh players come in the form of back-row Alex Callender and scrum-half Ffion Lewis.

The pair complement are among several Centre of Excellence graduates in the side.

Jemima Moss and Abi Kershaw both start, in the second-row and on the wing respectively, having come through the club’s pathway programme.

Abi’s sister Jess Kershaw features among the replacements, having impressed at Quins last weekend.

Attack and Backs coach Sian Moore is optimistic the side can bounce back after suffering a 42-15 loss at The Stoop.

“There is a real buzz around the squad to be playing at Sixways again and we’re looking forward to the challenge,” she said.

“We’ve had some great learnings over the past month or so and we’ve stepped up against the likes of Saracens and Bristol. Ultimately, there are a lot of points to prove following last week’s defeat at Quins both individually and collectively.

“We’re excited to get back out there and see what the girls can bring.”

Warriors Women | 15 Cat McNaney, 14 Abi Kershaw, 13 Vicky Foxwell, 12 Jade Shekells, 11 Vicky Laflin, 10 Ellen Murphy, 9 Ffion Lewis, 1 Akina Gondwe, 2 Carys Phillips (c), 3 Carmen Tremelling, 4 Jemima Moss, 5 Amelia Buckland Hurry, 6 Cara Brincat, 7 Alex Callender, 8 Jo Brown

Replacements | 16 El Febrey, 17 Lisa Campbell, 18 Flo Long, 19 Elizabeth Shermer, 20 Sara Moreira, 21 Jess Kershaw, 22 Minori Yamamoto, 23 Meg Varley

DMP Durham Sharks | 15 Holly Thorpe, 14 Dani Phan, 13 Linzi Taylor, 12 Mackenzie Thomas-Roberts, 11 Amy Layzell, 10 Cara Cookland, 9 Elissa Jennings, 1 Sam Herrick, 2 Alana Bainbridge, 3 Meg Gardner, 4 Tamara Taylor, 5 Kate SmithTH, 6 Trudy Cowan, 7 Maisie James, 8 Jaz Hazell

Replacements | 16 Ellie Pigford, 18 Tiana Gordon, 19 Ceri Store, 20 Kim Colvin, 21 Ale Lewis, 22 April Ishida, 23 Grace Trimble