Western Force captain Jeremy Williams has been named to return against his former club, the NSW Waratahs, in Saturday night’s SMARTECH Super Rugby Pacific Round 4 clash in Sydney.
Wallabies lock Williams along with outside-centre Sio Tomkinson have both been added to the starting XV after missing last round’s narrow 28-24 loss to the Queensland Reds due to head injury protocols.
The duo are among five changes to the 23-player team list, with Brandon Paenga-Amosa to make his Force starting debut in the competitive hooker role with rake Tom Horton added to the finishers.
Will Harris also comes into the starting side at blindside flanker, with the re-signed Nick Champion de Crespigny reverting to number 8.
Tomkinson’s return sees Reesjan Pasitoa move to the bench, following his strong return to the starting line-up against the Reds after more than 1,000 days between Super Rugby games due to injuries.
Fiji-born lock Josh Thompson, 24, has been named among the finishers for his Super Rugby debut.
Horton and front-rower Josh Smith are also added to the reserves. Vaiolini Ekuasi is unavailable for the trip due to the imminent birth of his child.
Saturday’s game at Allianz Stadium will be broadcast live on 9GEM and Stan Sport, with kick-off at 4:35pm WST.
The game will be preceded by the SMARTECH Super Rugby Women’s clash between the Waratahs and Force from 2:05pm WST, live on 9GEM and Stan Sport.
Force team list
Starting XV; Marley Pearce, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Tom Robertson, Jeremy Williams (c), Darcy Swain, Will Harris, Carlo Tizzano, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Nic White, Ben Donaldson, Dylan Pietsch, Hamish Stewart, Sio Tomkinson, Harry Potter, Mac Grealy,
Reserves; Tom Horton, Ryan Coxon, Josh Smith, Josh Thompson, Reed Prinsep, Isaak Fines-Leleiwasa, Max Burey, Reesjan Pasitoa
Game details
NSW Waratahs vs Western Force
Saturday 8 March, 4:35pm WST
Allianz Stadium
SMARTECH Super Rugby Pacific Round 4
Live on 9GEM and Stan Sport
Unavailable list
Harry Johnson-Holmes (knee)
Bayley Kuenzle (knee)
Harry Hoopert (knee)
Divad Palu (shoulder)
Matt Proctor (shoulder)
Papillon Sevele (knee)
