Lachlan MacKay in shock return against Crusaders

Forgotten Wallaby Lachlan MacKay has received a shock call-up to the Western Force midfield to take on the Crusaders at Subiaco on Sunday.

MacKay, who has battled leg injuries, has played just three matches in two seasons with the Force and is uncapped this season despite twice being named on the reserves bench in South Africa.

The 25-year-old utility, who won his first Wallaby cap in 2005 in the final Bledisloe Cup Test against the New Zealand All Blacks in Auckland, has been named at inside centre, while Scott Staniforth assumes the right wing position from the injured Nick Cummins.

Coach John Mitchell has also handed newly-signed halfback Chris O’Young a first XV berth, after he rejoined the club from Glasgow in the wake of the Matt Henjak sacking.

And for the clash with his former All Black coaching partner Robbie Deans, Mitchell also continued his policy of rotating forwards, with AJ Whalley back into the starting XV at and Tamaiti Horua switching from Number 8 to flanker.

David Pocock returns to the openside flank, while Richard Brown has been recalled at number eight.

Western Force: Cameron Shepherd, Scott Staniforth, Ryan Cross, Lachlan Mackay, Drew Mitchell, Matt Giteau, Chris O’Young, Richard Brown, David Pocock, Tamaiti Horua, Nathan Sharpe, Tom Hockings, AJ Whalley, Tai McIsaac, Gareth Hardy.

Res: Luke Holmes, Troy Takiari, Sam Wykes, Matt Hodgson, James Stannard, Scott Daruda, Josh Tatupu.

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