CLUB captain GJ van Velze is set to play his 100th Worcester Warriors game at home to Wasps in the Gallagher Premiership today (3pm), writes Marcello Cossali-Francis.

The back row should seal his century of appearances in the blue and gold off the bench as Worcester look to bounce back from last week's European Challenge Cup defeat to Castres.

With Cornell du Preez set to join up with the Scotland Six Nations squad after the clash, van Velze will be poised to step up.

South African van Velze, 31, has featured in all eight Premiership games this season and is looking forward to making his landmark appearance.

“It’s come around much quicker than I anticipated,” he said.

“I’m excited but none of this would have been possible without all the support I’ve had.

"My wife deserves a lot of credit because she’s been the one at home getting an earful.

"Obviously all the backroom staff at Warriors too. I’ve worked with some amazing people and if it wasn’t for them I would not have been fit to play all these games.”

Despite the achievement van Velze was keen to focus on the game in hand and said the team will use the opening hour of the match against Castres as motivation despite the end result.

“Last week we looked the best we have in a long time for 60 minutes,” he said.

“I think we looked really dynamic with a lot of intent in attack and defence.

"If we can continue to do that for 80 minutes the result will come.”

Wasps have struggled so far and sit two places below Warriors in ninth with just two wins in their eight Premiership matches.

Dai Young’s team have just one win away from the Ricoh Arena in the league and were thrashed 27-0 at home last weekend by French Top 14 side Agen.

Van Velze continued: “They haven’t had the best of starts to the Premiership but what’s happened externally in the league this week (with Saracens relegated) has probably taken the pressure off them now.

“You can name a number of quality players so it’ll be a tough challenge. They still are a quality outfit.”

Warriors last played in the Premiership at the start of this month when they were heavily beaten by hosts Saracens but come into the weekend with just one home defeat in the league this campaign.