The Brumbies are expected to name Wallabies centre Tevita Kuridrani in their starting line up for Saturday’s Super Rugby opener against the Reds.
The international centre was sent off lifting flanker Peter O’Mahony in the Wallabies Test victory over Ireland and was banned for five matches.
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The ban meant that Kuridrani missed the Wallabies last two Tests and he has also missed all three of the Brumbies Super Rugby warm ups.
Having served his five match ban Kuridrani is now eligible to face the Reds and looks likely to start the seaon opener at No 13.
Kuridrani established himself as the Brumbies outside centre in the 2013 Super Rugby season and went on to make his Wallabies debut in the Bledisloe Cup clash against the All Blacks and has now played 8 Tests.
It was thought that Kuridrani and Andrew Smith would face a selection battle for the No 13 jersey as Smith has been strong in the pre-season matches but it now looks like he will be named at No 12.
The Brumbies will be without Christian Lealiifano at No 12 due to injury and he is only expected to recover from ankle surgery in the middle of March.
The Canberra Super Rugby franchise are hoping that Lealiifano will be back in time to face the Waratahs at Canberra Stadium on 15 March.
Wallaby Pat McCabe and Japan international Harumichi Tatekawa were both being considered as Lealiifano’s replacement but the Brumbies are concerned about McCabe’s confidence as he has broken his neck twice in the last 15 months.
McCabe has had little game time recently and since June last year he has only played for 85 minutes.
The Brumbies South African signing Lionel Cronje could come off the bench against the Reds and he can play at flyhalf, in the centres or at fullback.