Force shuffles pack for Reds clash

Head coach Dave Wessels has brought young lock Matt Philip into the starting line-up and he will link with Wallaby big man Adam Coleman in the second row.

In other changes, Ross Haylett-Petty will move to blindside flank and Brynard Stander will start at No.8. New recruit Ben Daley will get his first start in the blue jersey at loosehead prop, making a straight swap with stalwart Pek Cowan.

Local products Curtis Rona and Chance Peni will make their long-awaited debuts in front of their home crowd as they line up at inside centre and right wing respectively.

Wessels says that the team will be looking to improve on last weekend's performance and play some exciting rugby for the fans.

"We felt that we were good in a number of areas of the game last Saturday, but we were disappointed that we didn't win the game.

"So, what we're looking to do this week, in hopefully better conditions, is be able to show more of what we've been working on from an attack perspective," he said.

Western Force: 15 Dane Haylett-Petty, 14 Luke Morahan, 13 Curtis Rona, 12 Billy Meakes, 11 Chance Peni, 10 Jono Lance, 9 Ryan Louwrens, 8 Brynard Stander, 7 Kane Koteka, 6 Ross Haylett-Petty, 5 Adam Coleman, 4 Matt Philip, 3 Jermaine Ainsley, 2 Heath Tessmann (captain), 1 Ben Daley.  

Replacements: 16 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17 Pek Cowan, 18 Tetera Faulkner, 19 Richard Hardwick, 20 Isi Naisarani, 21 Michael Ruru, 22 Ian Prior, 23 Alex Newsome.

Date: Thursday, March 2

Venue: nib Stadium, Perth

Kick-off: 18.30 (20.30 AEST; 10.30 GMT)

Referee: TBC

Assistant referees: TBC

TMO: TBC