Ben McCalman will return to the starting line-up when the Force takes on the Reds at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.
McCalman, who returns from a two-week suspension incurred from his side’s 31-29 win over the Highlanders, has been named at the back of the Force scrum, while Angus Cottrell reverts back to the blindside flank in the only changes to the Force line-up.
The match will mark milestone games for hooker Nathan Charles and flyhalf Sias Ebersohn, who are both set to earn their 50th Super Rugby caps.
Charles records his half-century after originally joining the Force as an injury replacement during the 2010 season. After making his debut against the Stormers that year, Charles has since gone on to become the second most-capped hooker for the Force behind inaugural rake Tai McIsaac (52 matches).
Ebersohn reaches the 50-match mark after joining the Force as foreign developing player ahead of the 2013 season from the Cheetahs. The left-footed super boot has returned 103 points in his 19 matches for the Western Australian club, contributing to a total of 323 points throughout his Super Rugby career.
Saturday’s encounter will also mark winger Luke Morahan’s first return to Suncorp Stadium since leaving the Reds to join the Force for the 2014 season. Morahan, who played five seasons for the Queenslanders, will again team up with winger Nick Cummins and fullback Jayden Hayward in the Force back three.
“The bye week has allowed the team to rest and refocus on our next four-match block of the competition,” said Force head coach Michael Foley.
“On the back of a lot of hard work by the boys, there’s a growing belief in each other and how we’re playing.
“Importantly, we’re demonstrating greater composure and resilience when things aren’t going to plan, which is a key characteristic of successful teams.
“This weekend marks Nathan and Sias’ 50th matches. Both players have faced tough challenges over the last 12 months – Nathan recovering from a knee reconstruction and Sias relocating to a new country – and it is a credit to both of them that during that time, they’ve been able to make significant improvements in their performances.”
Force: 15 Jayden Hayward, 14 Luke Morahan, 13 Solomoni Rasolea, 12 Kyle Godwin, 11 Nick Cummins, 10 Sias Ebersohn, 9 Alby Mathewson, 8 Ben McCalman, 7 Matt Hodgson (Captain), 6 Angus Cottrell, 5 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 4 Sam Wykes, 3 Kieran Longbottom, 2 Nathan Charles, 1 Pek Cowan
Replacements: 16 Heath Tessmann, 17 Tetera Faulkner, 18 Ollie Hoskins, 19 Adam Coleman, 20 Brynard Stander, 21 Ian Prior, 22 Zack Holmes, 23 Marcel Brache.
Date: Saturday 5 April
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Kick-Off: 10:40 SA Time (19:40 AEST, 08:40 GMT, 17:40 AWST)
Referee: Garratt Williamson (New Zealand)
Assistant Referees: James Leckie (Australia), Ian Smith (Australia)
TMO: Steve Leszczynski (Australia)