The Rebels have named a strong outfit to head to Perth to take on the Force in World Series Rugby on Saturday night.
Centre Tom English will captain the side that features six former Force players and a host of regular Rebels.
Nathan Charles will have his first start since returning to Melbourne from Bath, while Tom Moloney, Pone Faamausilii, Harrison Goddard, Tayler Adams, Henry Hutchison and Kiti Ratu are also have their first run-on opportunities of the season.
Lock Geoff Parling will share the coaching duties with Dave Wessels for the clash, which will also be a return to Perth for the latter, who coached the Force last season.
Jack Debreczeni will play at fullback, in his first game in three weeks, while Adams has first crack at 10, after auditions off the bench in Super Rugby, behind Reece Hodge.
Club stars have been drafted in to round out the bench, with Sydney Uni duo Nick Champion de Crespigny and Rohan O'Reagan, Randwick's Jack Johnson, and Souths' Matt Gibbon all included in the 24-man team.
The Rebels will travel to Perth on Thursday, ahead of the clash, that Wessles has not been shy about talking up.
"We are really looking forward to a special night," he said.
“I know many of the players and I are excited about returning to Perth to play in front of family and against many old friends.
“We’ll certainly be trying to do our part to put on an exciting game. It promises to be a night to remember.’
The Rebels take on the Force in Perth on Saturday June 9, kicking off at 8pm local, 10pm AEST, LIVE on FOX SPORTS and via 7TWO in Perth.
TEAM
Rebels to face the Force
1. Tom Moloney
2. Nathan Charles
3. Pone Fa’amausili
4. Sam Jeffries
5. Matt Philip
6. Ross Haylett–Petty
7. Richard Hardwick
8. Angus Cottrell
9. Harrison Goddard
10. Tayler Adams
11. Henry Hutchinson
12. Billy Meakes
13. Tom English (capt.)
14. Kiti Ratu
15. Jack Debreczeni
Reserves
16. Matt Gibbons
17. Andrew Tuala
18. Jermaine Ainsley
19. Nick Champion de Crespigny
20. Rohan O’Reagan
21. Jack Johnson
22. Michael Ruru
23. Hunter Paisami
24. Jack McGregor
