League convert Zac Lomax is set for a Super Rugby baptism of fire after being included on the Western Force bench to tackle Fijian Drua.
The ex-NRL star was set to make his professional rugby debut last round against the Queensland Reds in Brisbane but was scratched an hour before kick-off due to hamstring tightness.
The Force got the job done without him, upsetting the Reds on home turf, with the former Parramatta flyer in line for another opportunity on Saturday afternoon in Lautoka, where opposition teams traditionally struggle.
The Perth-based side also have skipper Jeremy Williams back on deck with the Wallabies lock cleared to return after missing the bonus-point win due to concussion.
Test prop Tom Robertson has been ruled out after his own head knock while speedster Darby Lancaster has succumbed to an ankle injury, among the other line-up changes.
Coach Simon Cron resisted the temptation to start former NSW winger Lomax, instead shifting George Bridge to the wing with Hamish Stewart the new centre.
Veteran Kurtley Beale has also been included in the reserves and if the utility back plays he will notch his 181th Super Rugby game, equalling Kiwi great Sam Whitelock in joint fifth.
The ACT Brumbies received a major boost ahead of Friday night's showdown with the Highlanders in Dunedin, with Allan Alaalatoa and Lachlan Lonergan returning from long injury lay-offs.
Test prop Alaalatoa makes his first appearance of the season due a back issue, as does hooker Lonergan who ruptured his ACL against the touring British and Irish Lions last year.
"It's a good moment for the team to get Allan back into the fray and Lachie Lonergan back into the game as well," said coach Stephen Larkham.
"Allan's been training exceptionally well and Lachie's played a couple of games for Vikings and Runners, and he's more than ready to go right now, so it's a big boost for the team coming out of the bye."
Tom Lynagh was still ill early in the week and didn't train until Wednesday, leaving Queensland coach Les Kiss with little choice but to omit the playmaker as they host the Crusaders on Saturday night.
Lynagh has appeared just once all season, off the bench against the Hurricanes, but could still play a key role after next week's bye.
Winger Filipo Daugunu will play his 100th Super Rugby game while Matt Faessler and Tim Ryan replace Josh Nasser and Treyvon Pritchard at hooker and wing respectively, after both suffered head knocks against the Force.
Experienced hooker Richie Asiata and centre Isaac Henry have been added to the bench for the crunch clash.
