Western Force
Finishes over the past three seasons: 2011 – 12th, 2010 – 13th, 2009 – 8th Coach: Richard Graham Captain: David Pocock Gains: Angus Cottrell (West Brisbane), Toby Lynn (Chiefs), Salesi Ma’afu (Brumbies), Salesi Manu (Warringah), Lachlan McCaffrey (Waratahs), Napolioni Nalaga (Clermont), Jordan Rapana (Gold Coast), Ben Seymour (Manly), Winston Stanley (Blues), Elvis Taione (Manly), Will Tupou (North Queensland), Sam Wara (Northern Suburbs), Tetera Faulkner (Southern Districts).
Losses: James O’Connor (Melbourne Rebels), Mark Bartholomeusz (retired), Matt Dunning (retired), Tim Fairbrother (Harlequins), Tom Hockings (axed), Mitch Inman (Melbourne Rebels), Willie Ripa (quit), David Smith (Toulon), Tevita Metuisela (Waratahs), Paul Alo-Emile (Melbourne Rebels), Jono Jenkins (axed), Mark Swanepoel (axed), Ryan Tyrrell (Cardiff Blues) One to watch: James Stannard – How will the former Australian Sevens star handle a full-time switch from scrumhalf to five-eighth? Best team: Cameron Shepherd, Napolioni Nalaga, Patrick Dellit, Gene Fairbanks, Nick Cummins, James Stannard, Brett Sheehan, Ben McCalman, David Pocock, Matt Hodgson, Nathan Sharpe, Sam Wykes, Salesi Ma’afu, Nathan Charles, Pek Cowan.
Bench: Ben Whittaker, Kieran Longbottom, Toby Lynn, Richard Brown, Justin Turner, Rory Sidey, Winston Stanley.
Predicted Australian conference finish: 5th
Betting: $51