EXPERIENCED prop Ropate Rinakama could make his Worcester Warriors debut in the European Challenge Cup.

The Fijian international made the move from New Zealand last Friday after agreeing to join the club as cover for injured tightheads Nick Schonert (knee) and Farai Mudariki (ankle).

Director of rugby Alan Solomons said Rinakama was now in full training but insisted it was still “very early days” for the 31-year-old who is set to miss Saturday’s Gallagher Premiership match at Harlequins (3pm).

“This is his first week and has travelled a long way, so he is settling in,” Solomons said.

“He has played for North Harbour and Northland and was a medical joker at Grenoble in the 2017-18 season, so he has got decent experience.

“He is applying himself and looks useful.

“But it’s very early days as he has just arrived.

“He only got in on Friday morning, so he has had the weekend to get over the trip (from New Zealand).

“He has taken a full part in practice so full marks to him.”

Warriors travel to Russia to face Enisei-STM next Friday before making the trip to France to tackle Castres eight days later.

Asked whether Rinakama who is registered to play in Europe could feature in the two games, Solomons said: “We will have got to look at how we approach those.

“The matches that lead into the Premiership will be run similar to last year, taking into account all the other things that we have got to take into consideration.

“I will head those up and we will run them like a Premiership game.”

Lock Andrew Kitchener is also unlikely to feature at Quins despite overcoming a hand injury.

But Solomons confirmed the second row would be back available to take on Enisei-STM in Krasnodar.

“(This Saturday) might be a bit early for Kitch,” Solomons said.

“He will certainly be involved in the game in Russia.

“It is the first week he has been out practising and the first time he has been in a field session since the injury.

“He got a blow to his thumb and then he got an infection in the joint but that has healed up now and he is back into it which is great to see.”