Brumbies make blanket changes to play Bayonne

Prop Guy Sheperdson will make his return from suspension when the Brumbies take on Bayonne in the second match of their French Tour on Tuesday (Wednesday morning AEST).

The Brumbies will field a vastly different starting XV after suffering a 20-12 loss to Bourgoin-Jallieu on Saturday.

Shepherdson and flanker Henry Vanderglas, who returns from injury, will make their first appearances on the tour.

Vanderglas, who missed the tour’s opening match with a hip complaint, has been passed fit and will join captain Stephen Hoiles and Sokai Tai in the Brumbies back row.

Shepherdson will partner Australian under 20s hooker Nathan Charles and Steven Noriega, son of former Brumbies prop and current Wallabies scrum coach Patricio Noriega, in the front row.

Lock Sitaleki Timani has been promoted to the starting XV after a try-scoring performance against Bourgoin-Jallieu and will pack down alongside Ed Gower, who retains his place in the in the second row.

Patrick Phibbs and Christian Lealiifano have been named in the halves while Robbie Coleman and Afusipa Taumoepeau will team up in the midfield.

Francis Fainifo and Pat McCabe remain the Brumbies’ back three with McCabe shifting to the wing to allow Shaun Foley his first start at fullback.

The Bayonne club finished seventh in the 2008/09 Top 14 competition and feature a playing list that includes Italian flyhalf Craig Gower, and Wallabies Rodney Blake and Manuel Edmonds, brother of injured CA Brumbies hooker Huia Edmonds.

Brumbies: Shaun Foley, Pat McCabe, Afusipa Taumoepeau, Robbie Coleman, Francis Fainifo, Christian Lealiifano, Patrick Phibbs, Stephen Hoiles (capt), Sokai Tai, Henry Vandergla, Ed Gower, Sitaleki Timani, Guy Shepherdson, Nathan Charles, Steven Noriega. Res: Anthony Hegarty, Jerry Yanuyanutawa/Salesi Maafu, Ben Hand, Colby Faingaa, Nick White, Matt Toomua, Tyrone Smith, Andrew Smith.

AAP slb/gc