The Queensland Reds will miss the red-hot form of flanker Liam Gill in Saturday night’s Super Rugby clash against the Bulls at Suncorp Stadium.

While the Reds have received a boost with the long-awaited return of skipper James Horwill and two Wallabies backs in Digby Ioane and Anthony Faingaa, Gill’s absence is a major blow.

The 20-year-old has consistently been Queensland’s best player over the first five rounds but a minor knee injury is set to sideline him for just a week.

Wellington-born Jarrad Butler will make his run-on starting debut at openside flanker in Gill’s place in a daunting baptism against the monster Bulls pack.

Horwill makes his first appearance in 10 months in the second row with Ed O’Donoghue while Rob Simmons drops to a 5-2 bench whick includes uncapped young forwards Nigel Ah Wong and Curtis Browning.

Continuing their rotation policy, James Hanson will start at hooker with Saia Faingaa on the bench.

Dangerous outside backs Dom Shipperley and Luke Morahan were left out of the squad altogether with teenager Chris Feauai-Sautia favoured to stay on one wing with Ioane returning to the other flank.

Centre Faingaa has overcome his back problem and pushed Mike Harris to the bench.

Queensland Reds: Jono Lance, Chris Feauai-Sautia, Anthony Faingaa, Ben Tapuai, Digby Ioane, Quade Cooper, Will Genia; Jake Schatz, Jarrad Butler, Ed Quirk, James Horwill (capt), Ed O’Donoghue, James Slipper, James Hanson, Greg Holmes. Res: Saia Faingaa, Albert Anae, Rob Simmons, Curtis Browning, Nigel Ah Wong, Nick Frisby, Mike Harris.