Brumbies closer to full strength

Brumbies Boost: Guy Shepherdson set to make an impact from the bench

The Brumbies welcome back Wallaby duo Guy Shepherdson and Alister Campbell for their Super 14 match against the Cheetahs at Canberra Stadium on Friday.

Campbell (knee) and Shepherdson (hamstring) will rejoin the side off the bench after missing three matches through injury.

Brumbies coach Laurie Fisher says the pair were considered for the starting XV.

"It's pleasing to start having players like Al (Campbell) and Shep (Shepherdson) available for selection but we didn't believe it was in their best interests to throw them straight into the run-on side," he said.

"Given the lack of training load, contact work and scrummaging they've had over the last few weeks, we thought it best to wait for the sting to go out of the game and give them some quality game time at the back end of the match."

The Brumbies have made three changes to their starting line-up with lock Peter Kimlin, scrum-half Joshua Holmes and hooker Huia Edmonds all included in the run-on side.

Holmes returns to the starting XV for Patrick Phibbs while Edmonds replaces hooker Saia Faingaa who has been rested to recover from a hamstring strain.

Kimlin, who earns his run-on debut after eight appearances off the bench, says he's excited about starting for the Brumbies for the first time.

"I've been fairly happy with how I've gone off the bench in the first few weeks and this is a new challenge for me," said Kimlin.

"Everyone wants to be part of the starting side and I'll be looking to make the most of this opportunity.

"My challenge is to match the intensity and enthusiasm of the Cheetahs and make sure I fulfill my role throughout the match rather than coming on at the end of the game against a tiring opposition.

"My game has come on a lot since I joined the Brumbies, and I feel comfortable playing at this level and I'm very excited about getting my first run-on start against the Cheetahs."

Kimlin will pack down alongside interim captain George Smith, who will play his 100th Super Rugby match on Friday night.

The Brumbies outside backs remain untouched with captain Stirling Mortlock and utility back Adam Ashley-Cooper expected to return for the side's next match against the Chiefs on April 4.

Shepherdson and Campbell are joined on the bench by prop cum hooker John Ulugia - who earns his selection in the 22-man squad for the first time in 2008.

Brumbies: 15 Mark Gerrard, 14 Peter Playford, 13 Sanualio Afeaki, 12 Tyrone Smith, 11 Francis Fainifo, 10 Christian Lealiifano, 11 Josh Holmes, 8 Stephen Hoiles, 7 George Smith (c), 6 Mitchell Chapman, 5 Mark Chisholm, 4 Peter Kimlin, 3 Salesi Maafu, 2 Huia Edmonds, 1 Nic Henderson.

Replacements: 16 John Ulugia, 17 Guy Shepherdson, 18 Alister Campbell, 19 Julian Salvi, 20 Patrick Phibbs, 21 Afusipa Taumoepeau, 22 Matt Toomua.

Date: Friday, 21 March

Venue: Canberra Stadium, Canberra

Kick-off: 19:40 (08:40 GMT)

Referee: Steve Walsh (New Zealand)

Touch judges: Kelvin Deaker (New Zealand), Daniel Cheever (Australia)

TMO: George Ayoub