Carter Gordon has been encouraged to "own the moment" in a Queensland Reds debut that will come eight years after penning his first contract at Ballymore.
A Wallabies quintet led by Test skipper Harry Wilson and flyhalf Gordon will reinforce the side in Friday's crucial home Super Rugby Pacific opener against the Highlanders.
No.8 Wilson (knee) and flyhalf Carter Gordon (leg) will start at Suncorp Stadium while hooker Josh Nasser, scrumhalf Kalani Thomas and utility back Filipo Daugunu will bolster the bench.
The high-profile returns after a week two bye offer some relief for the Reds, who had a double-figure injury list even before a season-opening loss to the NSW Waratahs a fortnight ago.
But there is still no Tom Lynagh, who is being treated with caution after concussion and hamstring issues cut short the No.10's Test campaign last year.
Reds coach Les Kiss said Lynagh was on track for a possible return next week in Canberra against the Brumbies, but that Friday presented a chance for Gordon, injured in the side's final preseason fixture, to shine.
After first signing a contract at Ballymore as a 17-year-old in 2018, he will make his Reds debut alongside fellow Sunshine Coast product Louis Werchon in the halves.
Gordon left the Reds for a Super Rugby chance at the Melbourne Rebels and earned a Wallabies call-up before signing with Gold Coast in the NRL and then rejoining the Reds last year and resuming his Test career.
"He (Gordon) has been very generous with how he's blended in with the team, finding out how we work and how we can work with him," Kiss said.
"He was gutted he couldn't play that first game but he's revelling in that preparation this week.
"He's owned the moments and grown with it ... this is the chance.
"Opportunity to put it on the main stage for sure and he's always wanted to put this jersey on at Suncorp.
"He can rip a width pass that can make space, but it's important we can go forward first."
Harry McLaughlin-Phillips will deputise while Thomas, who made his Test debut in the final game of the Wallabies' European tour last year, is coming off a career-best season in 2025.
They will need to be sharp against an improved Highlanders side that beat reigning premiers the Crusaders in the first round.
An all-Wallabies starting front-row of Aidan Ross, Zane Nonggorr and Matt Faessler will set the tone.
"When is the heat not on, I would say," Kiss said of the high-stakes nature of the clash.
"The boys relish it, they're ready for it."
The ladder-leading Brumbies, fresh off a magnificent defeat of the Crusaders in Christchurch, have named an unchanged side for the third-straight week to face the Blues in Canberra.
The winless Force have added Argentina scrumhalf Agustin Moyano to their bench for a possible debut, while winger Darby Lancaster will also earn a cap after overcoming a thigh injury.
Hooker Nic Dolly also returns to the Force starting side for Friday's clash with Moana Pasifika in Pukekohe, south of Auckland.
The NSW Waratahs, who have won both home games against the Reds and Fijian Drua to begin the season, have a third-round bye.
