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Emirates Western Force lock Pat O’Connor has suffered a minor setback in his bid for a return to action for the Emirates Western Force after being ruled out of tomorrow morning’s (WST) tour-opening clash with Newcastle Falcons.
O’Connor was ruled out of the team’s first up fixture last night after suffering a groin strain at training yesterday.
The 116kg lock is expected to make a full recovery before the team’s second tour outing against Saracens in Watford next Saturday.
O’Connor was due to make his first appearance in the ocean blue jersey since undergoing successive knee reconstructions over the past two seasons.
RugbyWA Academy lock Valeni Tia Tia has been elevated to the starting side to wear the number 5 jersey, while his place on the reserves bench has been filled by Australian Under 20’s utility Tom Murday.
The revised Emirates Western Force team sheet for the clash is as follows:
Emirates Western Force v Newcastle Falcons
Friday 8 August, 2008
Kingston Park, Newcastle, England
Kick off: 8pm (3am Saturday 9 August WST)
Emirates Western Force
1. Pek Cowan
2. Luke Holmes
3. AJ Whalley
4. Sam Wykes
5. Valeni Tia Tia
6. Matt Hodgson
7. David Pocock (c)
8. Tamaiti Horua
9. Chris O’Young
10. James O’Connor
11. Haig Sare
12. Junior Pelesasa
13. Josh Tatupu
14. Scott Staniforth
15. Dane Haylett-Petty
Reserves
16. Tai McIsaac
17. Kieran Longbottom
18. Tom Murday
19. Filipe Manu
20. Justin Turner
21. Scott Daruda
22. Caleb Brown
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