Utility back James O’Connor will start at flyhalf for the Reds in their match against the Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday.
O’Connor was at inside centre last weekend as the Reds narrowly lost to the Brumbies in Canberra, but shifts to the position where he made his debut for the Queensland-based side back in 2015.
Hamish Steward comes off the bench to fill the vacant No 12 jersey, while Wallaby lock Izack Rodda will also earn his first start of the season.
Alex Mafi will start at hooker following an ankle injury to Brandon Paenga-Amosa during last week’s clash.
There are two potential debutants on the bench in hooker Sean Farrell and prop Josh Nasser.
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Reds – 15 Bryce Hegarty, 14 Jock Campbell, 13 Jordan Petaia, 12 Hamish Stewart, 11 Henry Speight, 10 James O’Connor, 9 Tate McDermott, 8 Harry Wilson, 7 Liam Wright (c), 6 Angus Scott-Young, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 4 Izack Rodda, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Alex Mafi, 1 JP Smith.
Subs: 16 Sean Farrell, 17 Dane Zander, 18 Josh Nasser, 19 Angus Blyth, 20 Seru Uru, 21 Moses Sorovi, 22 Isaac Lucas, 23 Hunter Paisami.
Photo: Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images
