Adam Coleman will captain the Force for the first time on Friday night, against the Rebels.
Coleman will become the club's 13th captain and its fourth this year, after Heath Tessmann, Matt Hodgson and Jono Lance skippered throughout the season.
The lock has stepped up in his leadership off the back of a debut Super Rugby season and showed that added maturity for the Wallabies in June, setting the tone for the side.
Hodgson will miss the match with a calf injury, with Richard Hardwick set to replace him at seven, the spot that the Wallabies see in his future.
Chance Peni will make his return from a groin injury, that was initially thought would be season-ending,
Force coach Dave Wessels said the side was looking forward to its first full hitout since May.
“It’s been great to have a few weeks of dedicated training time to work on our game. We’ve worked hard on elements of our set piece and bringing more variation to our attack.
“It looks like the rain is going to hold off on Friday so we’re looking forward to an exciting game from both sides.”
The Force hosts the Rebels on Friday night, kicking off at 7:45pm AEST LIVE on FOX SPORTS and via RUGBY.com.au RADIO.
TEAM
Force team to play the Rebels
IN: Matt Philip, Jono Lance, Chance Peni, Brynard Stander, Ian Prior
OUT: Marcel Brache (internationals), Luke Burton, Mitch Short, Richie Arnold, Matt Hodgson
1. Pek Cowan
2. Tatafu Polota-Nau
3. Jermaine Ainsley
4. Matt Philip
5. Adam Coleman (C)
6. Ross Haylett-Petty
7. Richard Hardwick
8. Isi Naisarani
9. Michael Ruru
10. Peter Grant
11. Alex Newsome
12. Bill Meakes
13. Curtis Rona
14. Chance Peni
15. Dane Haylett-Petty
Reserves
16. Heath Tessmann
17. Francois van Wyk
18. Tetera Faulkner
19. Lewis Carmichael
20. Brynard Stander
21. Ian Prior
22. Jono Lance
23. James Verity-Amm
