Super Rugby AUS: Wallabies great Kurtley Beale headlines Western Force squad for mini-tournament
Beale, who has played 10 games over the past two seasons for the Force — either side of a torn Achilles — is the biggest name in the 31-man squad named for the four-week tournament, which starts in mid-September.
While the Force will be sans their Wallabies contingent for the tournament, Beale will be joined by fellow international veteran Darcy Swain, coming off the back of an impressive first season out west.
Swain formed one of the best second row duos in the league alongside skipper Jeremy Williams, and earned a brief Wallabies recall before missing out on selection for the British and Irish Lions and South Africa series.
Fresh off a similarly strong debut season, capped by an eye-catching showing against the British and Irish Lions at Optus Stadium, full-back Mac Grealy is also part of the squad.
Issak Fines-Leleiwasa will play his final games for the Force before his impending move to Fijian Drua, and homegrown talents Marley Pearce and Kane Koteka will also line up for the Force.
They will be joined by fellow Force regulars Will Harris, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Max Burey, George Poolman and Henry Robertson.
Divad Palu, who saw a potential breakout Super Rugby Pacific campaign derailed by a shoulder injury, has also been included, as has Australian youth international winger Ronan Leahy.
Bayley Kuenzle and Nic Dolly are both unavailable as they recover from post-season surgery, while Harry Hoopert, Harry Johnson-Holmes and Doug Philipson are also unavailable as they rehabilitate knee injuries.
Back-rower Papillon Sevele could make his Force debut for the first time in competitive action following knee injuries, while the squad also features 12 members of the Force's academy, including the club's Rising Star winner Albert Alcock.
Acting Force head coach James Stannard, who will lead the side while Simon Cron takes a back seat to oversee proceedings, said there was a good mix of youth and experience in the side.
'The wider group returned to training a fortnight ago, putting in a good block full of hard work as we build towards the tournament,' he said.
'We're looking forward to playing some meaningful games at this time of year to help progress the ongoing growth and development of our playing squad.
'It's also an exciting opportunity for some of our younger members and academy players to play at a higher level as they transition into Super Rugby ranks.'
Forwards
Front-rowers: Albert Alcock, Ollie Barrett, Riley Brewis, Bradley Kuhn, Marley Pearce, Max Sawers, Tiaan Tauakipulu. Locks/back-rowers: Billy Browne, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Will Harris, Kane Koteka, Titi Nofoagatotoa, Dane Sawers, Papillon Sevele, HD Stemmet, Darcy Swain, Mitch Watts
Backs
Half-backs: Luke Aiken, Max Burey, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Finn Prass, Henry Robertson. Centres/back three: Kurtley Beale, Boston Fakafanua, Mac Grealy, Justin Landman, Ronan Leahy, Ryan McGloin, Divad Palu, George Poolman, Tiam Toufan.
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