The Western Force 23-player team list for Saturday’s series-opening tour game against the British & Irish Lions has been confirmed.
Wallabies sextet Tom Robertson, Darcy Swain, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Nic White, Dylan Pietsch and Ben Donaldson are all in the run-on side, ahead of linking up with the national team on Sunday.
Donaldson's inclusion comes after Kurtley Beale was ruled out having suffered a hamstring strain at training on Tuesday. Donaldson will travel to Perth this afternoon to play the Lions game.
Retiring WA homegrown prop Ollie Hoskins will start at tighthead in a fairytale ending to his rugby career, having started his career at the Club, coming through the Force Academy. The Cottesloe junior joined the Force on loan for the game from Saracens a fortnight ago.
Former Wallabies lock Sam Carter will also start in the final game of his decorated career, having announced his retirement last month.
Back-rower Vaiolini Ekuasi and midfielder Matt Proctor will both return from shoulder injuries to start the game, with the latter having missed the entire 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season.
Captain Jeremy Williams, homegrown back-rower Carlo Tizzano and winger Harry Potter are all unavailable due to being in Wallabies camp ahead of Sunday week’s Test against Fiji in Newcastle.
Nathan Sharpe medalist Robertson will line up on the front row alongside Wallabies hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa and Hoskins, who previously played 26 times for the Force (2014-2016).
Carter will partner Swain, who last week earned his first Wallabies call-up since 2022, in the locks, with Will Harris, Champion de Crespigny and Ekuasi in the back row.
In the absence of Williams, White will skipper the side and start at scrum-half, alongside mid-season injury cover signing Alex Harford at fly-half.
Pietsch and Mac Grealy will start on the wings, with Proctor forming a midfield with two-cap Wallabies inside-centre Hamish Stewart. Donaldson, who will only return to the Force fold today having spent all week in Wallabies camp, will start at full-back.
Kick-off for Saturday’s game is 5:45pm WST, with tickets available via Ticketmaster.
Western Force team list
Starting XV; Tom Robertson, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Ollie Hoskins, Sam Carter, Darcy Swain, Will Harris, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Vaiolini Ekuasi; Nic White (c), Alex Harford, Dylan Pietsch, Hamish Stewart, Matt Proctor, Mac Grealy, Ben Donaldson
Reserves; Nic Dolly, Marley Pearce, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Lopeti Faifua, Reed Prinsep, Henry Robertson, Max Burey, Bayley Kuenzle
Game details
Western Force vs British & Irish Lions
Saturday 28 June, 5:45pm WST
Optus Stadium, Perth
Tickets via Ticketmaster
Live on Stan Sport
