Winger Ronan Leahy will make his debut as the only change to a settled Western Force team for Saturday’s Super Rugby Pacific clash with the Queensland Reds at Suncorp Stadium.
The 20-year-old Fortescue Academy member will get his maiden opportunity in the starting XV on the left wing fresh from starring for Australia at the U20 Rugby Championships, where he was named in the Team of the Tournament.
UWA winger and St Joseph’s College product Leahy, who’ll earn Force cap 261, scored two tries during the club’s two pre-season games earlier this season and played in last year’s Toyota Challenge against the Cheetahs. Chase Tiatia will start as one of the finishers.
The Force otherwise have named a settled side, with no changes to the forward pack for the first time this season following back-to-back wins over the NSW Waratahs and Fijian Drua.
Kurtley Beale has been named and is expected to be available, despite the planned birth of his second child on Wednesday. The squad will fly to Brisbane on Thursday.
Kick-off in Brisbane is 5:35pm WST with the game to be broadcast live on 9GEM and streamed on Stan Sport, with regular updates @WesternForce on social media.
Game details
Queensland Reds v Western Force
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Saturday 25 May, 5:35pm WST
Live on 9GEM and Stan Sport
Force team list
Starting XV: Harry Hoopert, Tom Horton, Santiago Medrano, Jeremy Williams (c), Izack Rodda, Will Harris, Carlo Tizzano, Reed Prinsep, Nic White, Ben Donaldson, Ronan Leahy, Hamish Stewart, Bayley Kuenzle, George Poolman, Kurtley Beale
Reserves: Feleti Kaitu’u, Marley Pearce, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Lopeti Faifua, Michael Wells, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Sam Spink, Chase Tiatia
