Brumbies coach Jake White will inject Rathbone into his starting side for the club's first play-off appearance in nine years. It continues Rathbone's phenomenal comeback just 18 months after opening up about his battle against depression and almost four years after injuries forced him into premature retirement.

Rathbone has started in just four games this season, his first campaign since 2009. But as one of just two survivors of the Brumbies' 2004 championship-winning time, White decided his experience would be crucial to the team's hopes of success.

''If you'd offered me a chance to play the British and Irish Lions and make the finals [when he decided to come back], I would have greedily taken it,'' Rathbone said.

''These games don't come around often. My attitude is what can I do to give us a chance to help the team. It's not a case of not wanting to let an opportunity slip. This is an amazing opportunity in front of our home crowd.

''We can't be so afraid of making mistakes that we're too afraid to play. We are going to make errors, but the difference between winning and losing is how you respond.''

Rathbone's return to the wing means Joseph Tomane will be moved to the bench just two weeks after playing in crucial Tests against the British and Irish Lions.

Former Wallabies winger Rathbone will add valuable experience to a Brumbies line-up which boasts just four players with finals exposure. Rathbone's 2004 championship-winning teammate and legendary flanker George Smith will reclaim the No.7 jersey. Halfback Nic White is expected to recover from a shoulder injury in time to take his place in the starting XV.

Rathbone is poised to sign a one-year extension on his deal in Canberra after being lured out of retirement.

Despite having played limited Super Rugby minutes this season in four starting appearances and six matches from the bench, Rathbone is adamant he is ready for the big stage. He played 26 Tests for the Wallabies between 2004 and 2009, but his career was plagued by injuries.

''It's a phenomenal achievement because of the road he's been on and the path he's walked,'' White said of Rathbone.

''The thing about Clyde is that it's never about Clyde. He always makes sure it's not about him and it epitomises what the Brumbies have always stood for. It's not about individual accolades or performances, it's about how the whole group contributes towards the success.''

White tried to entice Rathbone back to Super Rugby at the start of last season, just weeks after the powerful winger went public about his ongoing battle against depression. Rathbone initially declined. But late in the year he had a secret testing session with Brumbies coaching staff that reignited his desire to compete at the top. He scored two tries against the Melbourne Rebels last month and was in the starting side for the Brumbies' win over the British and Irish Lions four weeks ago.

To win the championship this season, the Brumbies face a horror 30,000 kilometres of travel across three time zones in three weeks.

''The odds are stacked against us … but we give ourselves the best chance of winning if we stay in the moment,'' Rathbone said.

''We can't get too far ahead of ourselves … that's when you get distracted. The team can win; we've shown against the top sides we can produce our best football. This team can handle the pressure moments. Every time we've had a small blip, we've come back with a strong performance.''