David Pocock will miss the Brumbies' final trial game but captain Christian Lealiifano says the 76-Test veteran will be good for their Super Rugby season-opener.
The star flanker's impressive return to Australian rugby last year was stalled by several injuries, most notably issues with his neck.
Fellow Wallabies Scott Sio and Allan Alaalatoa will join Pocock in skipping the Brumbies' trip to Goulburn on Thursday night to play the NSW Waratahs.
It means their first regular season game against the Melbourne Rebels on February 15 will be Pocock's first match since he was ruled out of the Wallabies' Test against England in November.
The 30-year-old missed the first four rounds of 2018 because of a knee injury but Lealiifano says there is no cause for concern this year.
"(Pocock) was carrying a little calf injury earlier in the year but he's coming along really well," Lealiifano told AAP.
"As we all know, Poey's quite diligent with his training and the ultimate professional in getting his body right to play footy.
"It's been really nice to have him contribute off the field when he hasn't been able to train and now seeing him progress well into round one is great to see."
Apart from missing their star Australian trio, Brumbies coach Dan McKellar has named a strong side for their final trial game.
Hooker Folau Faingaa, who featured for the Wallabies last year, has been included after missing the first hit-out against the Rebels on January 26.
There is international experience stacked through the Brumbies squad with locks Rory Arnold and Sam Carter, scrumhalf Joe Powell, fullback Tom Banks, winger Henry Speight and backrower Pete Samu all set to play.
Brumbies: Tom Banks, Toni Pulu, Tevita Kuridrani, Irae Simone, Lausii Taliauli, Christian Lealiifano, Joe Powell, Lachlan McCaffrey, Tom Cusack, Robbie Valetini, Sam Carter, Rory Arnold, Leslie Leuluaialii-Makin, Folau Fainga'a, James Slipper.
Res: Josh Mann-Rea, Tom Ross, Vunipola Fifita, Blake Enever, Jahrome Brown, Matt Lucas, Wharenui Hawera, Chance Peni, Darcy Swain, Murray Douglas, Pete Samu, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright, Len Ikitau, Henry Speight, Jordan Jackson-Hope, Bayley Kuenzle.
