W Force v Brumbies: Teams

Western Force coach John Mitchell has handed out five debuts as he looks to get the new Super 14 season off to a winning start against the Brumbies on Friday.

Former Saracens No.10 Mark Bartholomeusz comes in after marquee signing Andre Pretotius was ruled out for the season.

Bartholomeusz will team up with fellow new face Brett Sheehan at half-back, while centre Sam Harris and props Matt Dunning and Nic Henderson will also make their competitive debuts.

Ryan Cross has been declared fit to start despite an abdominal injury, while prop Pek Cowan will begin the season in the No.2 jersey after playing so well in the position in pre-season.

Sam Wykes has been chosen to partner Nathan Sharpe at lock.

The Brumbies have suffered a blow in the build up to the trip to Perth after former Force fly-half failed to overcome a quadriceps injury.

That means Australia Under-20s playmaker Matt Toomus starts at No.10, with Pat McCabe set to make his debut on the wing.

Australia captain Rocky Elsom and scrum-half Josh Valentine will take on their former team-mates, while Justin Harrison makes his first Super Rugby appearance for the Brumbies since 2003.

Force: 15 James O'Connor, 14 Dane Haylett-Petty, 13 Ryan Cross, 12 Sam Harris, 11 Cameron Shepherd, 10 Mark Bartholomeusz, 9 Brett Sheehan, 8 Richard Brown, 7 David Pocock, 6 Matt Hodgson, 5 Nathan Sharpe, 4 Sam Wykes, 3 Matt Dunning, 2 Pek Cowan, 1 Nic Henderson.
Replacements: 16 Ben Whittaker, 17 Tim Fairbrother, 18 Richard Stanford, 19 Ben McCalman, 20 Chris O'Young, 21 Mitchell Inman, 22 Josh Tatupu.

Brumbies: 15 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14 Pat McCabe, 13 Stirling Mortlock, 12 Christian Lealiifano, 11 Francis Fainifo, 10 Matt Toomua, 9 Josh Valentine, 8 Stephen Hoiles (c), 7 George Smith, 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 Justin Harrison, 4 Mark Chisholm, 3 Guy Shepherdson, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Ben Alexander.
Replacements: 16 Huia Edmonds, 17 Salesi Maafu, 18 Ben Hand, 19 Mitchell Chapman, 20 Patrick Phibbs, 21 Tyrone Smith, 22 Alfi Mafi.