The Western Force lead all teams in try-scoring, touching down 27 times in four rounds of the National Rugby Championship, and are looking for more after bolstering their attacking arsenal with excitement machine Jack McGregor and former Australian Sevens representative Pama Fou added to the match-day squad to tackle NSW Country Eagles in Port Macquarie on Sunday.
Fou joined the Western Force just prior to the National Rugby Championship season and is in line to make his debut after overcoming a hamstring complaint. He is one of three changes to the match-day 23, with young backrow ace Carlo Tizzano joining McGregor and Fou on the substitutes bench.
Head Coach Tim Sampson has made one forced change to the run-on side with Tevin Ferris elevated to the seven jersey after Chris Alcock was ruled out through injury. Abrasive lock Johan Bardoul has also been given his chance to make an impact from the opening whistle after impressing off the pine in the past couple of outings.
While happy with his side’s progression Sampson is keen to ensure there are no lapses with a home semi-final a significant incentive if the Force can continue its winning ways with three rounds remaining.
NSW Country are also well in the hunt for a semi-final spot, currently in third place on the table. The Eagles will be determined to bounce back after suffering their first defeat of the 2019 campaign last weekend when they fell short by just five points to Brisbane City.
The Eagles have had the wood over the Force in their previous regular-season meetings, winning four of the five clashes to date.
The West Australian’s were able to overcome the New South Welshmen last season in Perth, while their most famous victory came in the 2016 Final when they defied the odds to defeat the Eagles in Tamworth and claim a maiden NRC Championship.
