WORCESTER Warriors have made five changes to their starting line-up for the Gallagher Premiership match against Bristol Bears at Sixways on Sunday (3pm).

Winger Bryce Heem, centre Francois Venter, tighthead prop Nick Schonert and openside flanker Sam Lewis have all recovered from injuries which ruled them out of last week’s 28-11 defeat at Exeter Chiefs.

Heem returns from a groin strain, Venter has overcome a collarbone injury and Scotland international Duncan Weir, an unused replacement last week, is back in the first XV.

Schonert comes back into the front row following his recovery from a dead leg and Lewis, who had a hip injury, is in a re-jigged back row.

Marco Mama, who played at openside last week, switches to blindside against his former club.

Lock Pierce Phillips is fit again after a dislocated thumb forced him to miss the Exeter trip.

He takes his place on the replacements’ bench alongside Ted Hill, who has scored three tries in two Premiership appearances, Jono Lance and Perry Humphreys who all started last week.

Zane Kirchner is set for his first start for Bristol.

The South African international starts at full-back in place of the injured Piers O’Conor (foot).

Pat Lam makes three changes for the Sixways clash as Ian Madigan returns while Joe Joyce comes into the second row in the only change to the pack.

Head coach Lam said: “There will be a big following of supporters from Bristol and we want to deliver a performance for them. For us, it’s about the five points on offer and what we can achieve if we execute well.

“There’s a huge challenge and we know what a talented side Worcester Warriors are. We need to be on the money and that’s why the week’s preparations have been so important.”

Replacements Sam Jeffries and Dan Thomas could make their first Premiership outings of the campaign.

Warriors: Pennell; Heem, Venter, Mills, Adams; Weir, Hougaard; Black, Singleton, Schonert, Bresler, Barry, Mama, Lewis, van Velze. Replacements: Taufete’e, Bower, Kerrod, Phillips, Hill, Heaney, Lance, Humphreys.

Bears: Kirchner; Morahan, Hurrell, Piutau, Leiua; Madigan, Uren; Thomas, Thacker, Afoa, Holmes, Joyce, Luatua, Smith, Lam. Replacements: Fenton-Wells, Woolmore, Armstrong, Jeffries, Thomas, Stirzaker, Sheedy, Edwards.