Melbourne Rebels co-captain Scott Fuglistaller has earnt his first start of the Super Rugby season, fronting up against the Western Force on Friday night.

Fuglistaller has replaced Colby Fainga’a at openside flanker for their clash in Perth.

Coming off the bye, it’s the only change to the starting side that suffered a narrow loss to the Brumbies in round three.

The Rebels have named two potential debutants on the bench in hooker Tom Sexton and lock Steve Cummins.

The highly-rated Sexton is Australian born but grew up in Ireland.

After signing with the Rebels he missed the entire 2014 season with a knee injury.

Melbourne coach Tony McGahan said Sexton deserved an opportunity.

“Tom Sexton has worked incredibly hard to return from a serious knee injury suffered last season, and deserves his selection in the squad,” McGahan said.

“Steve Cummins has impressed with his knowledge and improvement since joining the club from Eastwood, via a stint with the EP Kings in South Africa’s Currie Cup last season.”

The match marks a 50th game milestone at the Rebels for Wallabies forward Luke Jones.

The 23-year-old becomes only the fourth Rebel to reach such a mark.

“Luke’s an integral part of the club, and for such a young man to be reaching a half century of Rebels caps shows what a big impact he has had during his time in Melbourne,” McGahan said.

“We are looking to him to continue to lead at set piece time, and to lift against a Western Force pack that has a great work rate and is extremely physical.”

Rebels: Mike Harris, Dom Shipperley, Tamati Ellison, Mitch Inman, Tom English, Jack Debreczeni, Nic Stirzaker, Scott Higginbotham, Scott Fuglistaller, Sean McMahon, Lopeti Timani, Luke Jones, Laurie Weeks, Pat Leafa, Toby Smith. Res: Tom Sexton, Cruze Ah-Nau, Paul Alo-Emile, Steve Cummins, Colby Fainga’a, Luke Burgess, Bryce Hegarty, Sefanaia Naivalu.