Fans will get an early Super Rugby Pacific preview as the NSW Waratahs and Queensland Reds confirm near full-strength sides for their trial in Roma.
Skipper Jake Gordon will return to the side in his first game back since battling concussions, which brought an abrupt end to his Toulon 'joker' stint.
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Wingers Dylan Pietsch and Mark Nawaqanitawase also come in for the match, with impressive lock Miles Amatosero will start.
It offsets the loss of Dave Porecki (Achilles) and Izaia Perese (Ankle), with assistant coach Jason Gilmore not expecting them to miss round one, with the two teams set to face off at Suncorp Stadium on February 24.
"It's a game that both clubs treat it really seriously," Gilmore said.
"It's a great weekend taking it out to the bush and having the girls playing as well.
"There's a good vibe around the weekend, not that we're going to hold too much back but it's a game of footy with two weeks out."
As for the Reds, teen sensation Harry McLaughlin-Phillips has been shown a massive sign of faith, named to start at flyhalf.
Tom Lynagh (back) will return via the bench with Lawson Creighton also on the 13-player bench.
Australia A lock Ryan Smith (calf) starts whilst Fijian international Peni Ravai and Wallaby Jock Campbell also start.
"We have a variety of skills within the good depth we have at No.10. Harry gets a chance to start after Lawson had the role in our first trial,” coach Les Kiss said in a statement. “It’s a good sign too with Ryan getting his first minutes of the season at lock and Josh Nasser returning to add depth at hooker from the bench.”
Super Rugby Player of the Year Fraser McReight is expecting the Waratahs to test them further after their narrow loss to the Force last weekend.
"We want to go up there and take points when we can, try and execute a bit better than we did on the weekend," McReight notes.
"We're still trying to understand combinations, match fitness in a trial. It's about how Les wants to attack and defend, taking that to another level before that opening game against the 'Tahs."
1. Peni Ravai
2. Matt Faessler
3. Zane Nonggorr
4. Seru Uru
5. Ryan Smith
6. Liam Wright (co-capt)
7. Fraser McReight
8. Harry Wilson
9. Tate McDermott (co-capt)
10. Harry McLaughlin-Phillips
11. Mac Grealy
12. Hunter Paisami
13. Josh Flook
14. Suliasi Vunivalu
15. Jock Campbell
16. Josh Nasser
17. Alex Hodgman
18. Sef Fa’agase
19. Connor Vest
20. John Bryant
21. Kalani Thomas
22. Tom Lynagh
23. Jordan Petaia
25. Cormac Daly
26. George Blake
27. Lawson Creighton
28. Tim Ryan
29. Isaac Henry
1. Angus Bell
2. Mahe Vailanu
3. Harry Johnson-Holmes
4. Jed Holloway
5. Miles Amatosero
6. Lachie Swinton
7. Charlie Gamble
8. Langi Gleeson
9. Jake Gordon (c)
10. Tane Edmed
11. Dylan Pietsch
12. Lalakai Foketi
13. Mosese Tuipolotu
14. Mark Nawaqanitawase
15. Joey Walton
16. Theo Fourie
17. Hayden Thompson-Stringer
18. Dan Botha
19. Ned Slack-Smith
20. Teddy Wilson
21. Jack Bowen
22. Harry Wilson
23. Triston Reilly
25. Vuate Karawalevu
26. Ben Distaso
27. Jack Barrett
28. Sam Thomson
29. Gabrielle Vendetti
