Captain Jeremy Williams will return to the Western Force starting side while Zac Lomax is in line to make his debut against the Fijian Drua in Lautoka in Round 9 of the Swyftx Super Rugby Pacific season on Saturday.
Williams is back in the second row after clearing his return-to-play head injury protocols that saw him miss the 42-19 win over the Queensland Reds.
Sef Fa’agase comes into the starting XV at loosehead prop to replace Wallaby Tom Robertson who has returned to Perth due to a head knock sustained against the Reds.
Hamish Stewart is also added to the run-on side at outside-centre as George Bridge shuffles to the wing, with Darby Lancaster ruled out with an ankle injury sustained while scoring against the Reds. Williams comes in at lock to replace Darcy Swain who is unavailable due to illness.
Force Academy product and loosehead prop Marley Pearce along with new signing Zac Lomax, who was a late withdrawal for his debut last round due to hamstring tightness, are added to the reserves.
Fa’agase starts on the front row alongside Wallaby Brandon Paenga-Amosa and Misinale Epenisa, with a second row of Franco Molina, fresh from a hat-trick against the Reds, partnering Williams.
In the back row are Champion de Crespigny, Daly – who impressed on debut last round - and Vaiolini Ekuasi.
Scrum-half Henry Robertson and fly-half Ben Donaldson will team up again, supported by Bayley Kuenzle and Stewart in the midfield.
Dylan Pietsch and George Bridge will start on the wings, with the back three rounded out by Mac Grealy, fresh from extending his stay at the Force until 2028.
Nic Dolly, Pearce, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Lopeti Faifua, Will Harris, Agustin Moyano, Beale and Lomax are the reserves.
If he plays, Beale will notch up his 181th Super Rugby game, equaling Sam Whitelock in joint fifth in competition history.
Kick-off for Saturday’s game is 12:35pm WST live on Stan Sport.
Game details
Fijian Drua vs Western Force
Saturday 11 April, 12:35pm WST
Churchill Park, Lautoka
Live on Stan Sport
Western Force team list
1 Sef Fa’agase
2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa
3 Misinale Epenisa
4 Franco Molina
5 Jeremy Williams (c)
6 Nick Champion de Crespigny (vc)
7 Jack Daly
8 Vaiolini Ekuasi
9 Henry Robertson
10 Ben Donaldson (vc)
11 Dylan Pietsch
12 Bayley Kuenzle
13 Hamish Stewart
14 George Bridge
15 Mac Grealy
Reserves; 16 Nic Dolly, 17 Marley Pearce, 18 Harry Johnson-Holmes, 19 Lopeti Faifua, 20 Will Harris, 21 Agustin Moyano, 22 Kurtley Beale, 23 Zac Lomax
SKG Radiology Unavailable List
Tom Robertson (head injury) – return to play protocols
Albert Alcock (quad) – short term
Feao Fotuaika (foot) – short term
Nathan Hastie (ribs) – short term
Darcy Swain (illness) - short term
Carlo Tizzano (knee) – short term
Ronan Leahy (knee) – medium term
Doug Philipson (knee) – medium term
Alex Harford (shoulder) – long term
Darby Lancaster (ankle) - TBC
