Sydney - Wayward Wallabies back James O'Connor will start his first game for the Reds at flyhalf against the Force in Brisbane on Saturday.
The highly talented and versatile 24-year-old, who was banished into exile in Europe after a drunken incident at Perth airport in 2013, returned to the Reds in a bid to revive his international career in time for the Rugby World Cup.
Perhaps more importantly for the struggling Reds, former All Black loose forward Adam Thomson will also make his debut against a rugged Force outfit, who upset the reigning champion Waratahs in their season opener last Sunday.