Force v Rebels: Teams

Western Force and Melbourne Rebels will both welcome back key players for Saturday's Super Rugby showdown at nib Stadium.

The Force are able to name Gene Fairbanks in their midfield, the centre starting at No.12 alongside Nick Cummins.

However the home side are still unable to call upon the services of fly-half Willie Ripia, who is yet to make his debut for the franchise.

"Willie trained well with team but I felt as though he isn't quite ready to play 80 minutes of Super Rugby. He isn't far away," said head coach Richard Graham.

Apart from a recall for Fairbanks, the only other change for the Force sees Nathan Charles make a long-awaited start at hooker.

Gerrard returns

Meanwhile, the Rebels can call upon the services of Mark Gerrard again.

The Australia international starts at full-back, while Sam Cordingley comes onto the bench in place of JP Du Plessis.

Richard Kingi, who usually plays at scrum-half, will line up on the right wing after playing at full-back in the win over the Hurricanes.

Nic Henderson also returns to the starting XV, replacing fellow prop Rodney Blake, who scored a try last time out, in the front row.

Kevin O'Neill has recovered from a calf injury and will replace Hugh Pyle, while Luke Rooney has switched to the left wing to cover for the injured Cooper Vuna.

Western Force: 15 Cameron Shepherd, 14 Alfie Mafi, 13 Nick Cummins, 12 Gene Fairbanks, 11 David Smith, 10 James O'Connor, 9 Brett Sheehan, 8 Ben McCalman, 7 Matt Hodgson, 6 Richard Brown, 5 Nathan Sharpe (capt), 4 Sam Wykes, 3 Tim Fairbrother, 2 Nathan Charles, 1 Pek Cowan.
Replacements: 16 Ben Whittaker, 17 Kieran Longbottom, 18 Tom Hockings, 19 Tevita Metuisela, 20 James Stannard, 21 Matt Brandon, 22 Pat Dellit.

Rebels: 15 Mark Gerrard, 14 Richard Kingi, 13 Lachlan Mitchell, 12 Stirling Mortlock (capt), 11 Luke Rooney, 10 Danny Cipriani, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Gareth Delve, 7 Michael Lipman, 6 Jarrod Saffy, 5 Kevin O'Neill, 4 Alister Campbell, 3 Greg Somerville, 2 Ged Robinson, 1 Nic Henderson.
Replacements: 16 Luke Holmes, 17 Laurie Weeks, 18 Hugh Pyle, 19 Tim Davidson, 20 Sam Cordingley, 21 Peter Betham, 22 Afusipa Taumoepeau.