WORCESTER Warriors head coach Rory Duncan is excited to welcome the “calming” influence of veteran centre Wynand Olivier back into the fold.

The fit-again 35-year-old looks set to make his first appearance in a year when Warriors visit Stade Francais in the European Challenge Cup on Saturday (8pm).

It has been a long road to recovery from Olivier who has not played since tearing his hamstring in Warriors’ Premiership clash at Harlequins on October 28, 2017.

Duncan said the former South Africa international’s physical presence and vast experience would be a strong addition to his team.

“Wynand is available for selection,” Duncan said.

“Credit to Wynand for the work he has done and to the strength and conditioning (S&C) staff who have put in the time and effort to get him back onto the pitch.

“The potential of seeing him play is quite exciting.

“He is a fairly sizeable unit so it’s good to have a physical man like that in your line.

“Since he has been back in training he has shown that he has stopping power in defence as well.”

Olivier who joined Warriors from French Top 14 side Montpellier in October 2015 has earned 38 caps for South Africa and won the Rugby World Cup in 2007.

“It does help having a head like his on the pitch,” Duncan said.

“He has got a lot of experience and a good, calming factor that can add to the the mix we have in the team.”

On facing Stade, Duncan continued: “We have done our homework and prepared as best we possibly can.

“It is going to be an extremely tough outing.

“They have done very well in the Top 14 but we will go out there and certainly give it our best shot.”

Prop Ethan Waller and fly-half Jamie Shillcock are also likely to make their first competitive outings of the campaign after recovering from hip and knee injuries respectively.

But England international Ben Te’o will not launch his comeback in Paris as he continues to overcome a calf issue.

“When you have got a player of Ben’s quality you want to utilise it but you have got to be sensible as well,” Duncan said.

“When the S&C team clear him we will obviously consider him for selection.

“Ben has done the odd training session but at this moment in time he has not been fully integrated.”

Duncan also confirmed flanker Carl Kirwan who missed the entire 2017-18 campaign due to a shoulder injury would not play against Stade.

“Carl is not available for selection,” Duncan said.

“I work on the feedback from S&C and they say who is available to play.

“They said his rehab was still ongoing so as far as I am concerned I am happy that he is in the best possible hands in terms of his return to play.”

Warriors also clarified that back rower Alafoti Fa’osiliva was registered to play in the European Challenge Cup despite his name not appearing in their squad on the European Professional Club Rugby’s website.