Force load up on their Wallabies
The Western Force included their Wallaby contingent to take on the Asia Pacific Dragons in the franchise's final Super Rugby pre-season fixture in Perth on Saturday.
Captain Matt Hodgson and No.8 Ben McCalman, who were both rested in the Force's 31-21 win over the Brumbies last week, will join fellow Wallabies Nathan Charles, Pek Cowan, Tetera Faulkner, Kyle Godwin and Luke Morahan in the Force line-up.
Steve Mafi (Tonga) and Alby Mathewson (New Zealand) will also bring international experience to the Force squad - to face the invitational team featuring players from Asia and the Pacific Islands, including former All Black Rico Gear and three-time Samoan World Cup representative Mo Schwalger.
The side will be coached by All Black legend Tana Umaga.
Saturday will be the final opportunity for the franchise's passionate 'Sea of Blue' to see the Force before the franchise's 10th season of Super Rugby kicks off in Sydney against the NSW Waratahs next month (Sunday, 15 February).
Western Force Head Coach Michael Foley said Saturday's two matches will provide another step towards his side's Super Rugby opener against the Waratahs.
"[Last] Friday [against the Brumbies] was an opportunity for us to test ourselves against a quality Super Rugby opposition - something we weren't able to do last season - and it's important that we take another step up against both the Dragons and Perth Spirit on Saturday," he said.
"While there were a number of positives out of last week's game, there were also some good lessons which we'll challenge ourselves on in prep ahead of this week's game.
"The Dragons will provide us with a different type of opposition as they have a number of Test-quality players in their line-up, who will challenge us through the entire 80 minutes."
Western Force squad:
Forwards: Pek Cowan, Tetera Faulkner, Chris Heiberg, Joe Savage, Robbie Abel, Nathan Charles, Steve Mafi, Wilhelm Steenkamp, Rory Walton, Sam Wykes, Angus Cottrell, Richard Hardwick, Matt Hodgson, Ross Haylett-Petty, Kane Koteka, Ben McCalman.
Backs: Alby Mathewson, Ryan Louwrens, Flyhalf: Luke Burton, Sias Ebersohn, Centre: Patrick Dellit, Kyle Godwin, Ammon Matuauto, Solomoni Rasolea, Wing: Marcel Brache, Brad Lacey, Luke Morahan, Mitchell Scott, Fullback: Dane Haylett-Petty, Albert Nikoro.
Force 'A':
Forwards: Oliver Hoskins, Francois van Wyk, Heath Tessmann, Wilhelm Steenkamp, Rory Walton, Chris Alcock, Ross Haylett-Petty, Brynard Stander.
Backs: Ian Prior, Zack Holmes, Luke Burton, Ammon Matuauto, Brad Lacey, Albert Nikoro, Mitchell Scott, Patrick Dellit
Date: Saturday, January 31
Venue: McGillivray Oval, Perth
Kick-off: Force v Dragons - 17.00 (09.00 GMT); Force 'A' v Perth Spirit - 15.40 (07.40 GMT)
Referee: Angus Gardner
Assistant referees: Rob Kellam, Pat Davis
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