The Brumbies have been dealt a huge blow ahead of Saturday’s Super Rugby match against the Stormers in Canberra, with four front-line players unavailable for the clash.

The ACT side’s bruising victory over the Waratahs now threatens to seriously derail their three-match winning streak, with Test prop Scott Sio (ankle), Wallaby-in-waiting Henry Speight (jaw), and lock Leon Power (knee) all ruled out for up to six weeks.

Wallabies outside centre Tevita Kuridrani meanwhile will miss the match to return to Fiji for a funeral.

It’s not all bad news for the Brumbies however, as Wallabies winger Joe Tomane will make his return from an ankle ligament injury he suffered in round one to replace Speight.

Reliable centre Andrew Smith will also make a straight swap for Kuridrani at outside centre.

In the forwards, Sio’s injury has given Cape Town-raised Jean-Pierre Smith his first professional starting debut, while Wallaby Scott Fardy will slide from the back row to lock to cover Power, and Jordan Smiler has been promoted to No.6.

The injuries have also given an opportunity for reserves Jack Whetton (lock), Michael Dowsett (halfback) and Stephen Van Der Walt (wing) to make their Super Rugby debuts off the bench.

Speight is expected to be out for up to six weeks after receiving surgery on his jaw for two fractures.

Meanwhile, Wallabies inside centre Christian Lealiifano is expected to make his return from ankle surgery in the ACT first-grade competition for Tuggeranong, and is on track for the Rebels match next week.

Brumbies: Jesse Mogg, Joe Tomane, Andrew Smith, Pat McCabe, Robbie Coleman, Matt Toomua, Nic White, Ben Mowen (c), Jarrad Butler, Jordan Smiler, Sam Carter, Scott Fardy, Ben Alexander, Stephen Moore, JP Smith. Res: Siliva Siliva, Ruan Smith, Ruaidhri Murphy, Jack Whetton, Lachlan McCaffrey, Michael Dowsett, Stephen Van Der Walt, Lionel Cronje.