The Queensland Reds forward pack will receive a timely boost this week with three key names - including recruit Adam Thomson - set to be named for their final Super Rugby pre-season trial against the Crusaders.
Thomson, a veteran of 29 Tests for New Zealand, will be joined by Irish lock Ed O'Donoghue and returning prop Ben Daley in the squad for the clash at Ballymore on Friday night.
Daley, who will play in a Reds jersey for the first time since undergoing shoulder surgery in July, said he was looking forward to playing alongside Thomson, who joins the Reds from Japanese side Canon Eagles.
"Adam Thomson's a class player and we saw against the Barbarians when the Wallabies played that he's lost nothing in terms of his skill, plying his trade over in Japan," Daley said.
"It'll be good to have his experience and hard edge amongst the forward pack."
Equally excited is Queensland's forwards coach Nick Stiles, who was happy with the work of his scrum in Saturday night's loss to the Melbourne Rebels in Cairns.
The performance of the Reds' pack, steered by rookie trio Pettowa Paraka, Sef Faagase and Sam Talakai, was one of several positives the side has drawn from the defeat.
But add in the "mongrel" of Thomson, the experience of O'Donoghue and a new and improved Daley, and there's plenty of reason to be optimistic for Stiles.
"I reckon with Dales, over the last 12 to 16 months we've been able to really address some of his technical areas to improve on," Stiles said.
"Because he's so combative and physical in everything he does, he probably had a few little technical things that meant his body was susceptible to injury.
"Now with his better scrum shape, that power he produces can be transferred in a better manner and hopefully he'll get a good run of games."
Three-cap Wallaby Daley has been plagued by injury in the last two seasons of Super Rugby and is expected to see around 60 minutes of gametime against the Crusaders, who will be without props Owen Franks and Wyatt Crockett.
The Crusaders will also rest Richie McCaw, Kieran Read and Sam Whitelock.
"I'm happy with any time I get," Daley said.
"No doubt I'll be sucking in seagulls, even after 10 minutes."
