Hodgson returns to Force starting XV

The Western Force have made several changes to the matchday 23 that will take on the Blues at Eden Park in Auckland this Saturday.

Tetera Faulkner comes back into the starting front row replacing Jermiane Ainsley who dislocated his elbow against the Crusaders last week. After making his Super Rugby debut last week, Richie Arnold has been given his first start in the second row, while club stalwart Matt Hodgson comes into the familiar number seven jersey.

Inside centre Bill Meakes comes back into the squad in the number 12 jersey, after recovering from an ankle complaint, with Marcel Brache moving to outside centre. Curtis Rona is unavailable for the game after suffering a concussion against the Crusaders.

Wallaby Dane Haylett-Petty returns to the full-back position and will look to pick up where he left against the Brumbies in Round Three.

On the bench, Anaru Rangi – another product of Perth’s local club rugby – is set to play his first match of the season and Australian Under 20s sensation and former Future Force Foundation product Shambeckler Vui is in-line to make his Super Rugby debut off the bench.

Western Force: 15 Dane Haylett-Petty 14 Chance Peni, 13 Marcel Brache, 12 Billy Meakes, 11 Alex Newsome, 10 Jono Lance, 9 Ryan Louwrens, 8 Isi Naisarani, 7 Matt Hodgson, 6 Ross Haylett-Petty, 5 Richie Arnold, 4 Matt Philip, 3 Tetera Faulkner, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Ben Daley
Replacments: 16 Anaru Rangi, 17 Pek Cowan, 18 Shambeckler Vui, 19 Richard Hardwick, 20 Kane Koteka, 21 Michael Ruru, 22 Ian Prior, 23 Robbie Coleman

Date: Saturday, April 1
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Kick-off: 17:15 local (04:15 GMT)
Referee: Shuhei Kubo (Japan)
Assistant Referees: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand), James Doleman (New Zealand)
TMO: Glenn Newman (New Zealand)