World Cup stars back for Brumbies trial

Wallabies captain Stephen Moore is among a host of Australian stars set to play their first game since last year’s World Cup in the Brumbies’ final Super Rugby trial against the Queensland Reds on Friday.

Coach Stephen Larkham has named a strong 26-man squad for the clash in Brisbane, including Moore and David Pocock.

Co-captains Moore and Christian Lealiifano will both start after being rested from last week’s 21-17 pre-season loss to the NSW Waratahs, as will Wallabies flankers Scott Fardy and Pocock.

Fardy’s inclusion comes just a few days after he was reportedly sent to hospital following a car accident in Canberra’s CBD.

Lealiifano has been named at No.10, with Matt Toomua shifted back to inside centre.

Fresh from his Sydney Sevens campaign, Henry Speight will start on the wing with Joe Tomane and Tevita Kuridrani also in the starting backline.

Wallaby Sam Carter, new Argentinian half Tomas Cubelli, Rory Arnold and Aidan Toua have all kept their starting spots from the Waratahs game, as has try-scorer Allan Alaalatoa.

Scott Sio, who has been recovering from knee and elbow injuries suffered in the World Cup, is on the bench along with a host of reserves pushing their claims for a match-day spot for round one.

The Brumbies open their 2016 campaign at home against the Hurricanes on February 26.

Brumbies: Aidan Toua, Henry Speight, Tevita Kuridrani, Matt Toomua, Joe Tomane, Tomas Cubelli, Christian Lealiifano (c), Ita Vaea, David Pocock, Scott Fardy, Sam Carter, Rory Arnold, Ben Alexander, Stephen Moore (c), Allan Alaalatoa. Reserves: Robbie Abel, Scott Sio, Leslie Leuluaialii-Makin, Blake Enever, Jarrad Butler, Michael Dowsett, Nick Jooste, Andrew Smith, Tom Staniforth, Jordan Smiler, Nigel Ah Wong.

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