Reds change five for Cheetahs

Wallabies speedster Rod Davies has returned for his first Super Rugby game of the season, against the Cheetahs on Friday

Davies, who has one cap for Australia, replaces Lachie Turner, who has been ruled out due to a persistent knee injury suffered in a pre-season match against the Chiefs. He is expected to be fit to travel to South Africa.

Another change involves Mike Harris being injected back into the starting line-up, replacing Anthony Fainga’a at inside centre. He will be joined by Chris Feauai-Sautia at outside centre for his first start of the year. Both Fainga’a and Ben Tapuai have been moved to the reserves.

The front row sees James Hansen and Ben Daley come into the starting XV.

Reds – 15 Aidan Toua, 14 Rod Davies, 13 Chris Feauai-Sautia, 12 Mike Harris, 11 Dom Shipperley, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Jake Schatz, 7 Liam Gill, 6 Eddie Quirk, 5 James Horwill (c), 4 Rob Simmons, 3 Greg Holmes, 2 James Hanson, 1 Ben Daley.
Subs: 16 Saia Fainga’a, 17 James Slipper, 18 Jono Owen, 19 Ed O'Donoghue, 20 Beau Robinson, 21 Nick Frisby, 22 Anthony Fainga’a, 23 Ben Tapuai.

Photo: Jonathan Wood/Getty Images