Force name five debutants for S14 opener

At least five players will make their Western Force debuts in Friday night's Super
14 clash with the Brumbies in Perth.
One-Test Wallaby Mark Bartholomeusz will take up the five-eighth role following the
season-ending injury to Andre Pretorius, while scrumhalf Brett Sheehan, inside
centre Sam Harris and props Matt Dunning and Nic Henderson will also don Force
colours for the first time in Super 14 competition after being named in the starting
XV.
Wallabies centre Ryan Cross has been named in the run-on side despite struggling to
overcome an abdominal injury in recent weeks.
Young gun James O'Connor will play at fullback while prop Pek Cowan will start at
hooker after his impressive display there in the Force's trial win over Queensland
last week.
Wingers Haig Sare (Achilles tendon) and Nick Cummins (foot) couldn't be considered
due to injury.
Matt Hodgson, David Pocock and Richard Brown will form a formidable back row while
Sam Wykes will partner Nathan Sharpe at lock.
Star Wallabies flyhalf Matt Giteau has been named by the Brumbies but is no
certainty to play due to a lingering quad complaint.
Force: James O'Connor, Dane Haylett-Petty, Ryan Cross, Sam Harris, Cameron Shepherd,
Mark Bartholomeusz, Brett Sheehan, Richard Brown, David Pocock, Matt Hodgson, Nathan
Sharpe, Sam Wykes, Matt Dunning, Pek Cowan, Nic Henderson. Reserves: Ben Whittaker,
Tim Fairbrother, Richard Stanford, Ben McCalman, Chris O'Young, Mitchell Inman, Josh
Tatupu.