Identical twin brothers Rory and Richie Arnold will be the Brumbies’ starting locks for Saturday night’s sudden-death Super Rugby clash with the NSW Waratahs.
The Arnolds, who are both 208cm, will be in the starting XV together for the first time as returning co-captain Sam Carter eases his way back from the bench.
Richie joined his brother in Canberra this year after the Western Force were axed from the competition.
Brumbies coach Dan McKellar says it will be exciting to see how the Arnolds combine together.
It might even fool the eyes of their opposing Waratahs numbers.
“Rory’s been very good all year and I think Richie deserves a starting spot,” McKellar said.
“They’re both physical boys, it’ll be a physical game and I’m looking forward to seeing how they go.”
The Brumbies could be boosted further by getting Wallabies prop Scott Sio back from a shoulder injury.
Sio missed last week’s loss to Chiefs in New Zealand, but has been named in the No.1 jersey.
However, McKellar said Sio isn’t a certain starter and has to get through a training run on Friday.
With Tom Cusack out of the team because of concussion, Blake Enever will start at blindside flanker in a switch from his regular position at lock.
Anything but a win with a bonus point against the Waratahs will see the Brumbies eliminated from the finals race.
They also have to rely on the Sharks and Melbourne losing their final round games.
But the Rebels’ hopes of winning have nose-dived as they will be without injured stars Will Genia, Dane Haylett-Petty and Adam Coleman for their clash with the Highlanders in Dunedin.
BRUMBIES: Tom Banks, Henry Speight, Tevita Kuridrani, Kyle Godwin, Andrew Muirhead, Christian Lealiifano, Joe Powell, Isi Naisarani, David Pocock, Blake Enever, Richie Arnold, Rory Arnold, Allan Alaalatoa, Folau Fainga’a, Scott Sio. Res: Connal McInerney, Nic Mayhew, Leslie Leuluaialii-Makin, Sam Carter, Lachlan McCaffrey, Matt Lucas, Wharenui Hawera, Lausii Taliauli.