Charlie Cale returns to Brumbies starting XV for Super Rugby Pacific regular-season finale

Charlie Cale has been named in the Brumbies’ starting XV for their Super Rugby Pacific round 16 match against Moana Pasifika, ending a seven-week absence caused by a shoulder injury sustained 26 minutes into the round 9 contest against the Highlanders in Dunedin. The 25-year-old flanker had scored nine tries in seven appearances before leaving the field that day.

Cale’s inclusion means the Brumbies will field all of their Wallabies representatives in the same starting lineup for the first time this season. Prop Allan Alaalatoa and winger Tom Wright, both of whom also missed extended periods during the round-robin, return alongside Cale to give the Canberra side their strongest available squad heading into the playoffs.

The stakes for Saturday’s match are significant. A bonus-point win would lift the Brumbies as high as third on the table and secure a home qualifying final, while a defeat could see them fall to sixth and face a trip to Wellington to play the Hurricanes.

James Slipper starts at loosehead prop with Alaalatoa captaining the side from tighthead. Cadeyrn Neville and Lachlan Shaw form the lock pairing, with Rob Valetini and Rory Scott completing the back row alongside Cale. Ryan Lonergan partners Declan Meredith at half-back, while Tom Wright takes his place at fullback behind a backline that includes Corey Toole, David Feliuai, Kadin Pritchard and Andy Muirhead.

The Brumbies head into the match carrying injuries to Kye Oates (leg), Dan Nelson (leg), Tuaina Taii Tualima (shoulder) and Ollie Sapsford (knee).