Reds v Cheetahs: Teams

Wallabies forward Hugh McMeniman has been named to play in the Reds side to take on the Cheetahs at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday.

McMeniman has returned from compassionate leave to replace Adam Byrnes in the second row in one of two changes, with Ben Lucas swapping with Will Genia at scrum-half.

Lucas' superior goal-kicking has helped get the nod after stand-in kicker Quade Cooper missed two crucial first-half attempts against the Stormers.

Reds skipper Berrick Barnes and fellow injured Wallabies back Peter Hynes have also been named. Barnes (quad) and Hynes (knee) have been in doubt following injuries sustained in the 27-24 loss to the Stormers in Cape Town.

But Reds coach Phil Mooney on Thursday included the Test pair, plus veteran hooker Sean Hardman (ankle), in his starting side for their first home match of the season.

Hynes' fitness has ensured Wallabies winger Digby Ioane has been retained at outside centre with Morgan Turinui (shoulder) facing a long stint on the sidelines.

Springbok winger Jongi Nokwe and centre Corne Uys have been cleared of their respective ailments and are likely to start against the Reds at Ballymore on Sunday.

Nokwe should return on the left wing while Uys could replace Piet Van Zyl in midfield. The Cheetahs have also been boosted by news that skipper Juan Smith and flanker Heinrich Brussow are also fit to face the Reds.

Reds: 15 Mark McLinden, 14 Brando Va'aulu, 13 Digby Ioane, 12 Berrick Barnes (c), 11 Peter Hynes, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Ben Lucas, 8 Leroy Houston, 7 Daniel Braid, 6 Scott Higginbotham, 5 Hugh McMeniman, 4 Van Humphries, 3 Laurie Weeks, 2 Sean Hardman, 1 Greg Holmes.
Replacements: 16 Saia Faingaa, 17 Dayna Edwards, 18 Adam Byrnes, 19 Poutasi Luafutu, 20 Will Genia, 21 Anthony Faingaa, 22 Blair Connor.

Cheetahs (from): Hennie Daniller, Fabian Juries, Piet van Zyl, Corné Uys, Jacques-Louis Potgieter, Danwel Demas, Jongi Nokwe, Meyer Bosman, Tewis de Bruyn, Sarel Pretorius, Frans Viljoen, Juan Smith (c), Hendro Scholtz, Heinrich Brüssow, David de Villiers, Wayne van Heerden, Nico Breedt, Bees Roux, Adriaan Strauss, Richardt Strauss, Wian du Preez, Kobus Calldo.