Western Force v Reds: Teams

O'Connor: Fit to start, but finds himself at full-back

James O'Connor returns at full-back for the Western Force as they look to upset the table-topping Reds at nib Stadium on Saturday.

Australia international O'Connor has recovered from injury but, having impressed on his side's recent tour of New Zealand, James Stannard still retains the number 10 jersey.

Stannard will team up with Brett Sheehan in the half-back positions with Mark Swanepoel having to make do with a seat on the bench.

"James (Stannard) has played well and has a unique ability to carry the ball in two hands and challenge the defensive line," head coach Richard Graham told the Western Force's official website.

"I thought Mark (Swanepoel) performed very well in our two games overseas but I like Sheehan's aggressiveness in defence and I think he has a lot of respect within the group."

Sheehan and O'Connor are the only two new faces into the matchday 22 from the side that defeated the Highlanders last Friday.

Return

The Reds head on their travels looking to maintain their grip on top spot having suffered a surprising home defeat at the hands of the Brumbies last Saturday.

Coach Ewen McKenzie has made three changes following the reverse, including handing a debut to Jono Lance at full-back.

There is also a place for flanker Liam Gill, who turned 19 on Wednesday, at openside; it will be his first run-on appearance in Super Rugby.

The other alteration sees Rod Davies return from injury on the wing for the penultimate round of the regular season.

Young flanker Ben Coridas is one of five forwards named on a bench which features Ian Prior and Dom Shipperley as the two back replacements.

Western Force: 15 James O'Connor, 14 Nick Cummins, 13 Patrick Dellit, 12 Rory Sidey, 11 David Smith, 10 James Stannard, 9 Brett Sheehan, 8 Richard Brown, 7 David Pocock, 6 Matt Hodgson, 5 Nathan Sharpe, 4 Sam Wykes, 3 Matt Dunning, 2 Nathan Charles, 1 Kieran Longbottom.
Replacements: 16 Ben Whittaker, 17 Tim Fairbrother, 18 Tom Hockings, 19 Ben McCalman, 20 Mark Swanepoel, 21 Mitch Inman, 22 Alfie Mafi.

Reds: 15 Jono Lance, 14 Luke Morahan, 13 Will Chambers, 12 Ben Tapuai, 11 Rod Davies, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Radike Samo, 7 Liam Gill, 6 Scott Higginbotham, 5 James Horwill (c), 4 Rob Simmons, 3 James Slipper, 2 Saia Faingaa, 1 Ben Daley.
Replacements: 16 James Hanson, 17 Greg Holmes, 18 Adam Wallace-Harrison, 19 Jake Schatz, 20 Ben Coridas, 21 Ian Prior, 22 Dom Shipperley.