The ACT Brumbies are set to call on a rookie hooker and an experienced Wallaby to bolster their set piece for a clash against the Melbourne Rebels on Friday night.
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Brumbies coach Dan McKellar will finalise his side on Wednesday, with uncapped rake Folau Faingaa in contention to be called on to the bench for a potential Super Rugby debut.
Wallabies prop Scott Sio is also likely to play his first game of the year after overcoming a niggling calf problem, which has delayed the start to his campaign.
Faingaa has already been earmarked as a future Test player by Wallabies coach Michael Cheika, despite the 22-year-old still waiting to play his first professional match.
The former Australian under-20s hooker was working as a concreter in Sydney last year before the Brumbies called and offered him a development spot in their extended squad.
He put his tradie life on hold to chase a rugby goal and his National Rugby Championship form for the Canberra Vikings was rewarded with a shock call into Wallabies camp.
Cheika has been keeping a close eye on Faingaa's development and could get a chance to see him in action as the Brumbies scrum looks to restore pride after being beaten up last week.
Sio's looming return would be a welcome sight for the Brumbies, with the team determined to regain winning form and momentum before their first home game of the season on March 17.
Meanwhile, the Brumbies are also exploring playing options in Asia before considering a chance to play against the reformed Western Force, which could pave the way for a potential development partnership between the clubs.
Four former Brumbies were unveiled in the Force's 26-man squad on Tuesday as mining billionaire Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest attempts to save rugby in Western Australia.
Forrest launched a rebranded 'World Series Rugby', with the Force as the competition's flagship team, recruiting Tuggeranong Vikings coach Tim Sampson to lead the side.
The Brumbies were invited to be a part of an eight-game series from June-August, but it's understood the Canberra club is instead looking at opportunities in Japan, China or Singapore for a mid-year match.
However, the Brumbies are keen to work with Forrest and are open to making the trip to Perth at the end of the Super Rugby season, which could trigger the start of a player pathway system.
The Force is yet to finalise an opponent for its match on August 17. The Brumbies could fit that hole given it falls two weeks after the Super Rugby season ends.
Forrest has lured former Springbok Jaque Fourie and former Canberra Raiders recruit Masivesi Dakuwaqa to the competition, but there is no clear pathway for Perth juniors to earn Super Rugby caps.
The Brumbies recruited five Force players this season - Richie Arnold, Chance Peni, Isi Naisarani, Mees Erasmus and James Verity-Amm - to bolster their squad.
"We see [playing in Perth] as a great opportunity to continue to grow rugby across Australia," said Brumbies boss Michael Thomson.
"We also think it's a great opportunity for us to potentially work a bit more closely with the guys over in Perth.
"While they don't have a Super Rugby team, there are a lot of good quality players coming out of there and there maybe some opportunity to provide a pathway.
"With Tim [Sampson] over there as well, I think that makes sense."
Ian Prior, Chris Alcock, Leon Power and Rodney Iona will be a part of the Force's second-coming as a club, with the team also likely to play in the National Rugby Championship.
Fourie, a 72-Test Springbok, is coming out of retirement, while former Fiji sevens player Dakuwaqa will also play for the Force after spending last season as a Raiders development player.
SUPER RUGBY ROUND FOUR
Friday: Melbourne Rebels v ACT Brumbies at AAMI Park, Melbourne, 7.45pm. TV time: Live on Fox Sports.
WORLD SERIES RUGBY
May 4: Force v Fiji
May 13: Force v Tonga
June 9: Force v Melbourne Rebels
June 22: Force v Canterbury Crusaders
July 14: Force v Samoa
August 10: Force v Hong Kong
August 17: Force v TBC
Force squad: Aj Alatimu, Chris Alcock, Marcel Brache, Masivesi Dakuwaqa, Rod Davies, Andrew Deegan, Tevin Ferris, Jaque Fourie, Josh Furno, Peter Grant, Chris Heiberg, Rodney Iona, Feleti Kaitu'u, Brad Lacey, Kieran Longbottom, Ryan Louwrens, Cameron Orr, Harrison Orr, Leon Power, Ian Prior, Harry Scoble, Tom Sheminant, Brynard Stander, Elliot Turner, Clay Uyen, Fergus Lee Warner.
