Captain Ian Prior will make his return from injury when the Western Force take on the NSW Waratahs at Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast this Friday.
The inclusion of Prior, who missed the past two Super Rugby AU matches through injury, is one of seven changes – five to the starting line-up and two on the bench – from the team that faced the Melbourne Rebels two weeks ago.
The match also marks the return of Force legend Pek Cowan to the starting line-up. The 10-time-capped Wallaby prop made his 131st appearance for the club coming off the bench against the Rebels.
In a second change to the forward pack, Future Force Academy graduate and Wests Scarborough Boar Kane Koteka will finally make his return to Super Rugby. The flanker has been brought into the starting side in place of Tevin Ferris, who remains on the injury list after leaving the field early in Round 5.
Koteka is a hard-running loose forward in a similar mould to his teammates Henry Stowers and Brynard Stander.
In two changes amongst the backs, Brad Lacey returns to the wing in place of Marcel Brache, who is being rested, and Jake Strachan, who is set to make his Super Rugby AU debut at fullback in place of Jack McGregor, who is included amongst the reserves.
Strachan has been a regular in the Force line-up in recent seasons, impressing with some consistent performances in Global Rapid Rugby.
In two changes to the bench, Ollie Atkins returns to the squad as loose forward cover, and utility back Nick Jooste makes his return to the match day 23 in the place of Henry Taefu, who is rested.
Grab your tickets from Ticketek here or catch the game LIVE from 5:00pm AWST on FOX Sports and Kayo.
Force to face Waratahs
IN: Jake Strachan, Nick Jooste, Ollie Atkins, Ian Prior
OUT: Tevin Ferris, Marcel Brache, Henry Taefu, Jacob Abel
1. Pek Cowan
2. Feleto Kaitu'u
3. Kieran Longbottom
4. Jeremy Thrush
5. Fergus Lee Warner
6. Henry Stowers
7. Kane Koteka
8. Brynard Stander
9. Ian Prior (c)
10. Jono Lance
11. Brad Lacey
12. Richard Kahui
13. Kyle Godwin
14. Byron Ralston
15. Jake Strachan
Reserves
16. Andrew Ready
17. Chris Heiberg
18. Tom Sheminant
19. Johan Bardoul
20. Ollie Atkins
21. Nick Frisby
22. Nick Jooste
23. Jack McGregor
