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Western Force’s Harry Potter to make long-awaited return against Premier Grade representative side Perth Gold

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Ben SmithThe West Australian
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Harry Potter will play his first game in almost six months for the Force.
Camera IconHarry Potter will play his first game in almost six months for the Force. Credit: James Worsfold/Getty Images

Western Force winger Harry Potter will play his first game in almost six months and several new signings are set for first appearances in the blue when the Force take on Perth Gold on Saturday.

The Force’s clash with the Premier Grade representative side at UWA Sports Park is their last hit-out before their three-game spring series in South Africa, and it will be a strong Force outfit taking to the field for the exhibition game.

New signings Nic Dolly, Josh Thompson and Nick Champion de Crespigny will all start, as do trialists Mac Grealy and Sio Tomkinson.

Potter will return for his first game since suffering a season-ending syndesmosis injury against Fijian Drua in late March, although he will start in the centres alongside Tomkinson.

Young ex-Rebels centre Divad Palu will start from the bench, as will other triallists Coby Miln and Isaac Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens.

Marley Pearce and Tiaan Tauakipulu will start either side of Dolly in the front row, Lopeti Faifua partners Thompson in the second row and Will Harris and captain Reed Prinsep round out the loose forward group with Champion de Crespigny.

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Issak Fines-Leleiwasa and Max Burey start in the halves, while young Justin Landman and Grealy join George Poolman as the outside backs.

Wallabies lock and new signing Darcy Swain will not play any part in the game as he is eased in to the Force set-up.

Starters

Marley Pearce, Nic Dolly, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Josh Thompson, Lopeti Faifua, Will Harris, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Reed Prinsep (c), Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Max Burey, Justin Landman, Sio Tomkinson, Harry Potter, George Poolman, Mac Grealy.

Reserves

Harry Hoopert, Albert Alcock, Sila Titiuti, Mitch Watts, Dane Sawers, Titi Nofoagatotoa, Henry Robertson (vc), Doug Philipson, Coby Miln, Divad Palu, Ronan Leahy, Isaac Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens.

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