Warriors Women welcome the return of Laura Keates following a lengthy spell on the side-lines as they travel to Exeter Chiefs for a 2pm kick-off in the Allianz Premier 15s.

The experience England prop has been out of action for four months due to a knee injury.

She is one of six changes to the side that comfortably bested DMP Durham Sharks last weekend, 57-7.

Joining Keates in the starting XV is centre Carys Cox, who has missed Warriors’ last four games through injury.

The former England under-20 international partners Meg Varley at the heart of the backline.

Elsewhere, England’s Alex Matthews and Lydia Thompson start at blindside flanker and wing respectively.

USA international Alycia Washington also returns to the side, joining Jo Brown in the second-row.

Sioned Harries at number eight rounds off the changes.

Jo Yapp, Warriors Women’s director of rugby, is delighted to have so many fresh faces at her disposal for the clash.

“It’s great to have Keatesy back as she has that experienced head, which you need at this level,” she said.

“We also have Sioned back after her injury and again, it’s great to have that level of experience coming in.

“Players like Lydia Thompson, Alex Matthews and Alycia Washington have played a lot of international rugby this season, so we decided to give them a rest last week and we’re looking forward to seeing them back in action.”

It will be a big test for Worcester, with Exeter making a number of changes to the starting XV after a narrow 28-25 loss last weekend to Loughborough Lightning.

Chiefs’ assistant coach Steve Salvin said: “The biggest compliment I can pay Worcester is that you have to beat them. What I mean by that is that they never disappear. Even if you get a couple of scores, they aren’t a team who will roll over. They constantly fight and there’s a lot to be said for that. It’s going to be a real battle.”

Warriors Women | 15 Abi Kershaw, 14 Lydia Thompson, 13 Carys Cox, 12 Meg Varley, 11 Vicky Laflin, 10 Ellen Murphy, 9 Ffion Lewis, 1 Akina Gondwe, 2 Carys Phillips (c), 3 Laura Keates, 4 Jo Brown, 5 Alycia Washington, 6 Alex Matthews, 7 Alex Callender, 8 Sioned Harries

Replacements | 16 El Febrey, 17 Abby Smitheman, 18 Carmen Tremelling, 19 Amelia Buckland Hurry, 20 Cara Brincat, 21 Jess Kershaw, 22 Minori Yamamoto, 23 Cat McNaney