FORMER South Africa centre Wynand Olivier will captain Worcester Warriors in Friday’s Premiership Rugby Cup semi-final against Saracens at Sixways (7.45pm).

"Odd line-up": Warroirs fans react to Sarries team selection

Olivier, a Rugby World Cup winner in 2007, will make his first start since the European Challenge Cup match in Pau in early December.

The 35-year-old will lead an experienced Warriors squad that includes 13 players who were involved in last Sunday’s bonus-point victory over Wasps which secured home advantage against Saracens Scott van Breda starts at fly-half with Jono Lance who was set to launch his comeback from a back injury not selected.

Flanker Carl Kirwan returns from a loan spell with Ealing Trailfinders in the Greene King IPA Championship to join Matti Williams and Matt Cox in the back row.

Full-back Nick David will make his second senior appearance while back rower Tom Dodd and wing Alex Hearle, who has been on a dual registration with Birmingham Moseley in National One, have been selected on the bench.

Scotland international fly-half Duncan Weir, prop Callum Black and second row Anton Bresler, who all started against Wasps, are also named as replacements for Warriors’ first semi-final in a major domestic competition.

Saracens have made three changes to the side that beat Harlequins as Calum Clark returns to captain the side from blindside flanker.

Nick Isiekwe has switched to second row to replace England Under-20s lock Joel Kpoku while Vincent Koch starts at tighthead and Ben Earl comes back in at number eight.

WARRIORS: David; Howe, Olivier, Butler, Hammond; van Breda, Arr; Waller, Annett, Milasinovich, Barry, Phillips, Williams, Kirwan, Cox.

Replacements: Miller, Black, Kerrod, Bresler, Dodd, Heaney, Weir, Hearle.

SARACENS: Gallagher; Crossdale, Lozowski, Morris, Segun; Malins, Whiteley; Barrington, Woolstencroft, Koch, Day, Isiekwe, Clark ©, Reffell, Earl.

Replacements: Tolofua, Adams-Hale, Walker, Skelton, Vailanu, Taylor, Vunipola, Griffiths.