Rory Arnold will stake his claim for a return to the Wallaby set-up via the Buildcorp NRC.
He was named in the UC Vikings squad for round one in a side that features many familiar faces to Brumbies fans.
It will be Arnold’s first hit-out since a Super Rugby season-ending elbow injury.
Aussie Men’s Sevens star Henry Speight was also named in the match day 23 but will have to make his return to the 15-man format from the bench.
The side will be captained by Brumbies flanker Jarrad Butler and will be mentored by new head coach Wayne Southwell.
Young playmaker Joe Powell will start at number nine and will be joined by teenager Nick Jooste in the halves while vice-captain Robbie Coleman returns to the NRC at fullback after missing all of last season through injury.
The side begin their campaign against Queensland Country at Bond University on Sunday at 3:00pm with all of the action live on Fox Sports.
UC Vikings side
1. Sione Taula
2. Robbie Abel
3. Leslie Leulua'iali'i-Makin
4. Rory Arnold
5. Blake Enever
6. Tom Staniforth
7. Jarrad Butler (c)
8. Jordan Smiler
9. Joe Powell
10. Nick Jooste
11. Lausii Taliauli
12. Jordan Jackson-Hope
13. Andrew Smith
14. James Dargaville
15. Robbie Coleman
16. Connal McInerney
17. Faalelei Sione
18. Nick Dobson
19. OJ Noa
20. Dean Oakman-Hunt
21. Brent Hamlin
22. Isaac Thompson
23. Henry Speight
