W Force v Sharks: Teams

Western Force head coach John Mitchell has made six changes to the starting XV for Saturday's Super 14 clash with the Sharks at Subiaco Oval.

Injuries to both starting wingers in the 23-all draw with the Crusaders last week has prompted two forced changes to the back-line, as teenage back James O'Connor will make his first appearance at full-back.

92-match veteran Scott Staniforth will make his first starting appearance for the 2009 season after being called in for the injured Nick Cummins. Staniforth confirmed his fitness with a 70-minute stint for NSW club Eastwood in a trial match in Sydney two weeks ago.

Cummins suffered a minor hamstring strain and will miss the weekend clash along with fellow flyer Cameron Shepherd who failed a fitness test on his injured ankle.

Shepherd's number eleven jersey has been taken by Drew Mitchell, who returns to the left wing after starting the past four matches at full-back.

O'Connor's move to full-back has paved the way for Junior Pelesasa to return at inside centre, while Mitchell has also made two changes to his starting forward pack.

Key changes

Australian U21s lock Tom Hockings and Australia 'A' flanker Matt Hodgson both return to the starting lineup after a one-week stint on the reserves bench.

Hockings will partner skipper Nathan Sharpe in the second row, while Hodgson returns at number six where he started against the Brumbies three weeks ago.

The Western Force will wear pink jerseys on field on Saturday night to raise awareness and funds for the Breast Cancer Foundation of WA.

The injury to regular fly-half Ruan Pienaar has forced Sharks coach John Plumtree into a couple of key changes for the trip to Perth.

Francois Steyn moves into the hot seat at number ten in their final tour match before heading back to South Africa where they will play six of their final seven pool matches in Durban.

The move hands Riaan Swanepoel his first Super 14 start at inside centre while Monty Dumond, who flew out to join the team on Wednesday, will slot in on the bench.

Up front, one Springbok front row makes way for another with Jannie du Plessis returning to the tighthead position, John Smit shifting to hooker and Deon Carstens starting at loosehead prop.

Western Force: 15 James O'Connor, 14 Scott Staniforth, 13 Ryan Cross, 12 Junior Pelesasa, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Matt Giteau , 9 Josh Valentine, 8 Tamaiti Horua, 7 David Pocock, 6 Matt Hodgson, 5 Nathan Sharpe (c), 4 Tom Hockings, 3 Ben Castle, 2 Tai McIsaac, 1 Pek Cowan.
Replacements: 16 Luke Holmes, 17 AJ Whalley, 18 David Pusey, 19 Richard Stanford, 20 Chris O'Young, 21 Josh Tatupu, 22 Haig Sare.

Sharks: 15 Stefan Terblanche, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Adrian Jacobs, 12 Riaan Swanepoel, 11 JP Pietersen, 10 Francois Steyn, 9 Rory Kockott, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 Keegan Daniel, 6 Jacques Botes, 5 Johann Muller (C), 4 Steven Sykes, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 John Smit, 1 Deon Carstens.
Replacements: 16 Bismarck du Plessis, 17 Tendai Mtawarira, 18 Albert van den Berg, 19 Justin Downey, 20 Ross Cronje, 21 Monty Dumond, 22 Luzuko Vulindlu.