James O’Connor is set to play his first Western Force game in 15 years on Sunday after he was named on the bench for his side’s Super Rugby AUS clash with the Brumbies.

And the Wallabies great is not the only big name elevated into the starting line-up for Force, with fellow veteran Kurtley Beale named at fly-half and Test-capped forwards Tom Robertson and Nick Champion de Crespigny also named in the starting 15.

O’Connor has not played competitive rugby since Leicester Tigers’ final game of the Premiership season in early June, but is set to feature off the bench in Force’s only home game of the four-week competition.

The 36 year-old’s last game for Force came back in 2011 before his departure for Melbourne Rebels and now the Wallabies veteran’s return to the professional club where it all began will take place at North Coast Sharks Rugby Club in Butler, where his side host the Brumbies on Sunday.

After Harry McLaughlin-Phillips received a Wallabies call-up after steering Force to a comeback win over Queensland Reds in their opening Super Rugby AUS game on the weekend, Beale will start at fly-half.

Force stand-in coach Damian Steele said it would be special if O’Connor and Beale could spend time alongside one another on the pitch.

“They’ve spent so much time together at Wallabies level, and they’ve got a really strong rapport,” he said.

“That’s something that the younger boys have said to us as well. They just notice how much they connect with each other and they’ve just got an understanding of how the game’s unfolding in front of them.

“They know where each other are and they find the right areas. So yeah, it’ll be awesome.

“It’s a great story for us to have those guys out on the pitch together if it does eventuate.”

Prop Robertson will make his long-awaited return from a calf injury which has sidelined him since May and joins captain Nic Dolly and Brad Kuhn in a strong front row.

Reigning Force Rising Star winner Misinale Epenisa will also spell Kuhn at tighthead from the bench, while Champion de Crespigny’s inclusion adds some bulk and experience to the back row.

The side is otherwise unchanged from the line-up who beat Queensland Reds 29-28, with vice-captain Will Harris once again lining up at lock, Nathan Hastie joining Beale in the halves and Zac Lomax continuing his midfield partnership with Boston Fakafanua.

Meanwhile, Ronan Leahy, sevens standout Wallace Charlie and Mac Grealy form an imposing back three.

Western Force squad vs Brumbies

September 20, 1.30pm, North Coast Sharks RUFC, Butler (free entry)

Tom Robertson, Nic Dolly (c), Brad Kuhn

Will Harris, Zak Healey

Nick Champion de Crespigny, Jackson Iose, Jack Daly

Nathan Hastie, Kurtley Beale

Boston Fakafanua, Zac Lomax

Ronan Leahy, Mac Grealy, Wallace Charlie

Replacements: Albert Alcock, Max Sawers, Misinale Epenisa, Tim Sail, Seta Baker, Luke Aiken, James O’Connor, Tama Anderson, Kane Koteka, Regin Pratt.