Former Wallaby captain David Pocock's long road back toward the 2015 Rugby World Cup starts against his former team on Friday.
Pocock, 26, makes his return from his second knee reconstruction when his Brumbies meet the Western Force in Perth in the opening Super Rugby practice match for both teams.
The muscular openside flanker has played just five Super Rugby games in the past two years due to his knee injuries.
He was forced to sit and watch as Michael Hooper developed in his Wallabies No.7 role so successfully that he is now the national captain.
But few doubt the strong-minded Pocock can return to the top level if his body holds up, having rivalled All Backs skipper Richie McCaw as the world's best openside flanker at the last World Cup.
Fellow Wallabies Matt Toomua, Nic White, Christian Lealiifano, Joseph Tomane and Henry Speight will also be in action against the Western Force as coach Stephen Larkham looks to kick off their 2015 campaign in style.
"We are going to Perth to win this match and to put the wheels in motion to get our season underway," said Larkham.
"Last year the Force were the competition's big improvers and they will be pretty eager to build on that.
"Trials are a good chance for us to assess what we need to work on heading into the season and we see the Force as a quality opponent to have a crack at."
The Force started slowly in 2014 but went on a stirring run to only narrowly miss an inaugural Super Rugby finals appearance.
They are now looking to build on that further in 2015 and recruits Ross Haylett-Petty, Steve Mafi and Mitchell Scott will play on Friday as will Wallabies pair Kyle Godwin and Tetera Faulkner.
"The Brumbies have a number of strengths that will allow us to test areas of our game we're looking to improve," said Force coach Michael Foley.
"But more importantly the opportunity to play a Super Rugby finalist in a trial match provides us the type of challenge that was missing last year.
"Every player has made a significant effort to improve team standards which is an important commitment as we look to back up the improvements made last season."
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