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by Christy Doran
With just three rounds remaining Super Rugby AU has four teams firmly in the race for a top three finish.
There's just four points separating first-placed Brumbies and the fourth-placed Rebels, with the Reds second on 16 points and Waratahs third on 15.
Wallaby Nic White headlines the changes, with the Brumbies halfback to make his return to Super Rugby after a five-year absence from the competition.
Here is all your team news ahead of round eight of Super Rugby AU.
7:05pm - Western Force vs Queensland Reds at Cbus Super Stadium,
Western Force coach Tim Sampson has made minor changes to his side that was beaten by the Waratahs last Friday.
In the back-row, Fergus Lee-Warner gives the Force some extra height at the lineout by shifting from the second-row to blindside flanker for Henry Stowers.
Ollie Atkins has been promoted to the starting side and joins former All Black Jeremy thrush in the second-row.
Up front, former Red Andrew Ready has too been promoted to the starting side and forms a strong front-row alongside Pek Cowan and Kieran Longbottom.
It's an unchanged backline with Sampson hoping that some much needed continuity helps settle the side.
Former captain Heath Tessmann will come off the bench for his first minutes of the season.
The Reds have, too, only made minor changes.
The injury to Hunter Paisami has seen Brad Thorn bring in Josh Flook at outside centre with Jordan Petaia remaining on the right-wing and Jock Campbell in his preferred position at fullback.
It's an unchanged forward pack with Thorn rewarding his big men for their outstanding defensive effort during last weekend's 19-3 win over the Reds.
On the bench, Josh Nasser acts as the reserve hooker while prop Harry Hoopert returns after hi injury absence.
Halfback Moses Sorovi comes on to the bench with Scott Malolua dropping out of the squad.
FORCE: (15-1): Jack Stachan, Byron Ralston, Kyle Godwin, Richard Kahui, Brad Lacey, Jono Lance, Ian Prior (c), Brynard Stander, Kane Koteka, Fergus Lee Warner, Ollie Atkins, Jeremy Thrush, Kieran Longbottom, Andrew Ready, Pek Cowan
Reserves: Heath Tessmann, Chris Heiberg, Tom Sheminant, Johan Bardoul, Ollie Callan, Nick Frisby, Jack McGregor, Henry Taefu
REDS (15-1): Jock Campbell, Jordan Petaia, Josh Flook, Hamish Stewart, Filipo Daugunu, James O'Connor, Tate McDermott, Harry Wilson, Fraser McReight, Liam Wright (c), Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Angus Blyth, Taniela Tupou, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Jack Straker
Reserves: Josh Nasser, Harry Hoopert, Zane Nonggorr, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Angus Scott-Young, Moses Sorovi, Bryce Hegarty, Jack Hardy
7:15pm - Brumbies vs NSW Waratahs at GIO Stadium,
In what shapes as the match of the round, Brumbies coach Dan McKellar has made a number of changes to his side.
White's return off the bench is the headline name to return.
But right throughout the side, there's key changes.
Solomone Kata will start at outside centre with Wallaby Tevita Kuridrani out which also sees Tom Wright, fresh from re-signing with the Brumbies, coming on to the left-wing.
Junior Wallabies halfback Ryan Lonergan starts for the absent Joe Powell.
Up front, James Slipper starts ahead of test teammate Scott Sio and Connal McInerney makes a rare start with Folau Fainga'a missing.
Veteran lock Cadeyrn Neville returns and partners Darcy Swain, which sees Nick Frost drop back to the bench.
In the back-row, hard-man Lachie McCaffrey starts ahead of Rob Valetini at blindside flanker.
McKellar has opted for a forwards-heavy six, two bench split.
Waratahs coach Rob Penney has kept faith with the majority of his side too following their 28-8 win over the Force, which saw them record back-to-back wins for the first time since March, 2019.
The only change to the backline sees Joey Walton promoted at outside centre with Lalakai Foketi dropping to the bench.
Up front, there's two changes with Ned Hanigan promoted to the starting side to join captain Rob Simmons in the second-row.
Tight-head prop Harry Johnson-Holmes starts ahead of Tetera Faulkner.
BRUMBIES (15-1): Tom Banks, Andy Murihead, Solomone Kata, Irae Simone, Tom Wright, Bayley Kuenzle, Ryan Lonergan, Pete Samu, Will Miller, Lachlan McCaffrey, Cadeyrn Neville, Murray Douglas, Allan Alaalatoa (c), Connal McInerney, James Slipper
Reserves: Lachlan Lonergan, Scott Sio, Tom Ross, Darcy Swain, Rob Valetini, Tom Cusack, Nic White, Len Ikitau
WARATAHS (15-1): Jack Maddocks, James Ramm, Joey Walkton, Karmichael Hunt, Alex Newsome, Will Harrison, Jake Gordon, Jack Dempsey, MIchael Hooper, Lachie Swinton, Rob Simmons (c), Ned Hanigan, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Tom Horton, Tom Robertson
Reserves: Robbie Abel, Angus Bell, Te Tera Faulkner, Tom Staniforth, Hugh Sinclair, Mitch Short, Ben Donaldson, Lalakai Foketi
https://www.rugby.com.au/news/2020/0...ms-round-eight