The Western Force will welcome back captain Jeremy Williams off the bench following injury for Saturday’s Super Rugby Pacific Round 10 clash away to the Highlanders.
Williams, who has missed the past three games with injury, will start as a reserve with fellow lock Izack Rodda elevated into the starting XV for ex-Highlander Tom Franklin (head injury protocols).
Rodda will make his first Super Rugby Pacific start this season, having successfully returned from a quad injury off the bench for an hour in last Saturday’s 37-15 win over the Crusaders in front of almost 8,000 fans at HBF Park.
Franklin is one of three Force players unavailable due to head injury protocols along with prop Ryan Coxon and hooker Ben Funnell after sustaining knocks in the win over the Crusaders.
Joondalup Brothers front-rower Marley Pearce will start for the first time since Round 1 for Coxon. Hooker Feleti Kaitu’u and Josh Bartlett also return to the matchday 23.
Nic White will continue as captain with skipper Williams back in the side off the bench.
Saturday’s Round 10 fixture looms as a critical one in the finals race against the 10th-placed Highlanders (2-6) with both sides gunning for top-eight spots.
Kick-off at Dunedin’s Forsyth Barr Stadium is 3:05pm WST, with the game streamed live on Stan Sport. There will be regular updates on @WesternForce social media channels.
Game details
Highlanders v Western Force
Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin, 3:05pm WST
Live on Stan Sport
Force Team List
Starting XV: Marley Pearce, Tom Horton, Santiago Medrano, Sam Carter, Izack Rodda, Will Harris, Carlo Tizzano, Reed Prinsep, Nic White (c), Ben Donaldson, Chase Tiatia, Hamish Stewart, Sam Spink, Bayley Kuenzle, Kurtley Beale
Reserves: Feleti Kaitu’u, Josh Bartlett, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Jeremy Williams, Michael Wells, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Max Burey, Henry O’Donnell
