W Force v Stormers: Teams

Fiji international wing Napolioni Nalaga has been included in the Western Force starting XV for Saturday's Super Rugby clash with the Stormers in Perth.

The powerful Fijian comes straight into the run-on side and his return is timely given a wrist injury to Cameron Shepherd which will sideline him for six weeks.

"Naps is very determined and eager to have an input into the second half of the season," said Western Force defence and skills coach Phil Blake.

"He is raring to go. We just need make the best use of his ability by getting him into the game, I have no doubt he can be a real force for us this weekend and for the remainder of the campaign."

The only other change to the backs from the club's last start is Samu Wara who has been named in the reserves after recovering from a hamstring strain.

Bekker back

In the forwards, Wallaby Ben McCalman will start at number eight with Matt Hodgson moving to the flank, while Richard Brown will make his impact from the bench.

Exciting young prop Salesi Manu is in line to make his Super Rugby debut after being named as a replacement.

Stormers coach Allister Coetzee has been forced to hand rookie Nizaam Carr his first start when the South African conference leaders tackle the Force.

Carr - one of four changes to the run-on side that beat the Reds last week in Brisbane - replaces the injured Duane Vermeulen (knee), while hooker Deon Fourie will provide loose forward cover on the bench.

Andries Bekker makes a timely return to lead the team, but lock Eben Etzebeth has been ruled out of the contest with a shoulder problem. Bekker will partner De Kock Steenkamp in the second row.

Other changes to the starting team sees Danie Poolman replacing the injured Gio Aplon on the wing, and prop Frans Malherbe comes in for Brok Harris in the front row.

The uncapped Don Armand, who arrived in Australia earlier this week, has been included on the bench.

Western Force: 14 Alfie Mafi, 14 Rory Sidey, 13 Nick Cummins, 12 Winston Stanley, 11 Napolioni Nalaga, 10 David Harvey, 9 Brett Sheehan, 8 Ben McCalman, 7 David Pocock (c), 6 Matt Hodgson, 5 Nathan Sharpe, 4 Toby Lynn, 3 Salesi Ma'afu, 2 Nathan Charles, 1 Pek Cowan.
Replacements: 16 Elvis Taione, 17 Salesi Manu, 18 Phoenix Battye, 19 Richard Brown, 20 Josh Holmes, 21 Ben Seymour, 22 Samu Wara.

Stormers: 15 Joe Pietersen, 14 Gerhard van den Heever, 13 Bryan Habana, 12 Juan de Jongh, 11 Danie Poolman, 10 Peter Grant, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Nizaam Carr, 7 Rynhardt Elstadt, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Andries Bekker (c), 4 De Kock Steenkamp, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Tiaan Liebenberg, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Replacements: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 Brok Harris, 18 Don Armand, 19 Deon Fourie, 20 Louis Schreuder, 21 Burton Francis, 22 JP du Plessis.