1
What written judgement said about Alex Mann's role in gouging saga
5
{{item.n}}
Six current Wallabies named in Force XV to face British & Irish Lions
By Finn Morton
Six current Wallabies have been named in the run-on side for the Western Force, ahead of Saturday’s historic clash with the British & Irish Lions at Perth’s Optus Stadium. Ben Donaldson is among those selected, having been called in as a late replacement for the injured Kurtley Beale.
ADVERTISEMENT
Beale suffered a hamstring strain at training on Tuesday, which will see the 95-Test Wallaby miss the Lions’ first match on Australian soil in 12 years. Tom Robertson, Darcy Swain, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Nic White and Dylan Pietsch – who were recently named in the Wallabies squad – will also start.
White will captain a strong Force side that boasts a mix of experience and youth. Former Wallabies lock Sam Carter and homegrown prop Ollie Hoskins are just a couple of days out from their final matches in professional rugby, having already announced their retirement.
Hoskins, who played one Test for the Wallabies, recently returned to the Force on a unique one-game loan deal from English side Saracens. The prop came through the Force Academy before heading overseas and will wear the club’s colours one more time on a big stage.
Backrower Vaiolini Ekuasi and one-Test All Black Matt Proctor both return from shoulder injuries, named in the starting side. Proctor missed the entire 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season but has been named at outside centre.
Robertson joins Brandon Paenga-Amos and Hoskins in the starting front-row, while former England hooker Nic Dolly is among those looking to make a difference off the bench. Carter and Swain round out the tight five as the two locks.
Will Harris will start at blindside flanker, with Wallabies bolter Champion de Crespigny wearing the No. 7 in the absence of Carlo Tizzano. Ekuasi completes the pack as the enforcer lining up at the back of the scrum.
ADVERTISEMENT
In the backs, captain White will join Alex Harford in the haves. Hamish Stewart and Proctor will combine in the midfield, with Pietsch and Mac Grealy starting on the wings. Donaldson is the final member of the First XV, flying from Sydney to Perth on Thursday afternoon.
Tizzano, Jeremy Williams and Harry Potter are all unavailable due to their commitments on the east coast with the Wallabies, who are preparing to take on the Flying Fijians at Newcastle’s McDonald Jones Stadium on July 6.
This match at Perth’s Optus Stadium will get underway at 5:45pm WST on Saturday.
Western Force team to play British & Irish Lions
1. Tom Robertson
2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa
3. Ollie Hoskins
4. Sam Carter
5. Darcy Swain
6. Will Harris
7. Nick Champion de Crespigny
ADVERTISEMENT
8. Vaiolini Ekuasi
9. Nic White (c)
10. Alex Harford
11. Dylan Pietsch
12. Hamish Stewart
13. Matt Proctor
14. Mac Grealy
15. Ben Donaldson
Reserves: Nic Dolly, Marley Pearce, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Lopeti Faifua, Reed Prinsep, Henry Robertson, Max Burey, Bayley Kuenzle