Promising young Melbourne Rebels flanker Luke Jones could find himself switched to the second row to match the might of Wallabies duo James Horwill and Rob Simmons in their Super Rugby match with Queensland on Saturday night.
Jones is a front runner to replace Adam Byrnes, who was rubbed out for 10 weeks by SANZAR for eye-gouging New South Wales centre Tom Carter in the Waratahs' 35-19 round two win at AAMI Park last Friday night.
The Rebels are appealing the verdict and are awaiting documentation from SANZAR judicial officer Paul Tully detailing the reasons for his findings.
They have 48 hours to then lodge their appeal, with the Melbourne franchise reluctant to make any further comment until the outcome is known.
If unsuccessful, Byrnes will not be allowed to play until round 13 of the competition when the Rebels take on Western Force on May 20 in Perth.
Regardless of the appeal, the Russian World Cup representative could miss facing the champions in Brisbane due to a shoulder injury.
Jones played at blindside flanker against the Waratahs but could move to the second row with former rugby league player Jarrod Saffy expected to be fit to face the unbeaten Reds.
The hard-working Saffy was a late withdrawal from a bench role against the Waratahs with a quadriceps twinge.
Jones, 20, has represented Australia at the junior world championships as a lock and would give the Rebels plenty of mobility in the position, playing alongside the impressive Hugh Pyle.
Jones was signed by the Force as a schoolboy and went on to play two Super Rugby matches off the bench there before moving to Melbourne.
The Rebels could also call on the experience of battle-hardened lock Al Campbell, who came off the bench against the Waratahs.
In some much-needed good news for the Rebels, Wallabies full-back Kurtley Beale is set to play against the Reds after missing their opening match due to his ongoing hamstring problems.
The Rebels desperately missed his attacking zeal against the Waratahs, only managing a penalty try in their points haul.
Regular skipper Stirling Mortlock is still sidelined with his calf problem.
AAP
Tags: super-rugby, rugby-union, sport, melbourne-3000, vic, australia First posted March 05, 2012 16:23:11