Force unchanged for home match

The Western Force named an unchanged starting XV to tackle the Cheetahs at the new nib Stadium on Saturday.

Force captain Matt Hodgson and lock Sam Wykes return from injury via the bench in the only changes to the matchday 22 that defeated the Reds in Brisbane last weekend.

Hodgson initially suffered a hamstring injury in the lead-up to the season opener against the Melbourne Rebels, before aggravating it in the Week Three clash against the Bulls in Pretoria.

Flank Chris Alcock, who deputised in Hodgson's absence, has retained his place in the run-on side, while front row forward Pek Cowan will again lead the side out on Saturday.

Joining Hodgson on the reserves list is lock Sam Wykes, who has recovered from an ankle injury sustained in training last week. Wykes and Hodgson are two of five forward replacements on the bench, with Mick Snowden and Jayden Hayward providing coverage in the backs.

Western Force: 15 Will Tupou, 14 Patrick Dellit, 13 Winston Stanley, 12 Kyle Godwin, 11 Alfie Mafi, 10 Sias Ebersohn, 9 Alby Mathewson, 8 Richard Brown, 7 Chris Alcock, 6 Angus Cottrell, 5 Hugh McMeniman, 4 Toby Lynn, 3 Salesi Ma'afu, 2 Nathan Charles, 1 Pek Cowan (captain).

Replacements: 16 Heath Tessmann, 17 Tetera Faulkner, 18 Sam Wykes, 19 Ben McCalman, 20 Matt Hodgson, 21 Mick Snowden, 22 Jayden Hayward.

Date: Saturday, 23 March

Venue: NIB Stadium, Perth

Kick-off: 18.45 (12.45 SA time; 10.45 GMT)

Referee: Garratt Williamson (New Zealand)

Assistant referees: Angus Gardner (Australia), Ian Smith (Australia)

TMO: George Ayoub (Australia)