Du Preez back for Worcester after seven months on the sidelines

Scotland international Cornell Du Preez is set to make his comeback for Worcester today almost seven months after suffering a fractured larynx.

Du Preez was hurt following an accidental collision with Wasps captain Joe Launchbury after just five minutes of a Gallagher Premiership game on 1 September.

The injury left him unable to speak for a time, while he also spent six weeks in a Birmingham hospital.

But the 28-year-old former Edinburgh flanker resumed training in January, having initially not been expected to play again this season, and he was recently given an all-clear to start contact.

He has been back in full training for a fortnight, and will take a place on Worcester’s bench for their European Challenge Cup quarter-final against Harlequins at Sixways.

South Africa international scrum-half Francois Hougaard makes his 50th appearance for the Warriors this weekend, while wing Bryce Heem replaces Josh Adams, who is rested following a Grand Slam-winning Six Nations campaign with Wales. Elsewhere, Scotland international Duncan Weir takes over from Jono Lance at stand-off, and changes in the pack include starts for lock Pierce Phillips and flanker Carl Kirwan.

Quins, three-time Challenge Cup winners, include England international quartet Mike Brown, Danny Care, Chris Robshaw and Jack Clifford, with Marcus Smith starting at stand-off. Tomorrow’s Challenge Cup action takes Bristol to La Rochelle, with Northampton visiting Clermont Auvergne. Both ties are the clubs’ third meeting this term following home and away group games.

“This is genuine knockout rugby, and as with every game for the remainder of the season, it’s a massive game and we need a finals rugby mindset,” said Bristol coach Pat Lam.

Cornell Du Preez: Suffered a fractured larynx in September.