Captain Jeremy Williams and Issak Fines-Leleiwasa will return to the Western Force starting XV while Henry Robertson has earned his Club debut for Saturday’s away clash with the Chiefs.
The Force will take on the Chiefs from 3:05pm WST on Saturday at FMG Stadium Waikato in Round 11 of the Super Rugby Pacific season.
Tom Franklin returns from head injury protocols alongside Williams in the second row, with lock Izack Rodda to start off the bench following two games back after injury.
Williams returned with a strong 25-minute display as a finisher last game against the Highlanders after missing three games.
Former Wallabies lock Sam Carter is unavailable due to a hamstring injury sustained last week against the Highlanders.
Wallabies scrum-half Fines-Leleiwasa also comes into the starting XV, with Nic White unavailable due to an aggravated knee.
Former Australia U-20s scrum-half Robertson comes into the team as a reserve. The 23-year-old has previously played six Super Rugby games for the NSW Waratahs, with Saturday’s game to mark his Force debut.
Josh Bartlett will make his maiden start, with Joondalup Brothers product Marley Pearce to start as a reserve.
The game marks the 50th Super Rugby appearances for hooker Tom Horton and back-rower Will Harris, who both debuted together for the NSW Waratahs in Round 1 of the 2020 season.
Kick-off on Saturday is 3:05pm WST, with the game streamed live on Stan Sport. There will be regular updates on @WesternForce social media channels.
Game details
Chiefs v Western Force
FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
Saturday 4 May, 3:05pm WST
Live on Stan Sport
Force Team List
Starting XV: Josh Bartlett, Tom Horton, Santiago Medrano, Tom Franklin, Jeremy Williams (c), Will Harris, Carlo Tizzano, Reed Prinsep, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Ben Donaldson, Chase Tiatia, Hamish Stewart, Sam Spink, Bayley Kuenzle, Kurtley Beale
Reserves: Feleti Kaitu’u, Marley Pearce, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Izack Rodda, Michael Wells, Henry Robertson, Max Burey, Henry O’Donnell
