Australia’s half-back stars Will Genia and Quade Cooper will start for the Queensland Reds against the Crusaders this weekend.
The live-wire Reds duo have established themselves as the Wallabies' front-line half-back partnership and will be favourites to pull on the gold jerseys against the Lions in 2013.
While Cooper made his debut against Italy in 2008 and had gone on to play in 24 games for the Wallabies, Genia made his first appearance a year later and has racked up 22 caps.
They are just two of a promising crop of youngsters who will form the backbone of the Australia side that will take on the Lions.
In the last clash between the Reds and Crusaders, Cooper amassed a record breaking 31 points in a memorable 41-20 Reds victory.
Captain James Horwill has been named at lock in what will be his first game since enduring a season ending knee injury in that same clash with the Crusaders in 2010.
"The strength of the squad reflects the importance we are placing on finding the right combinations for the season. It's also important for us as coaches to find out more about players we don't know as much about," said Reds head coach Ewan McKenzie.
Everyone's looking forward to a couple of week's time when the season kicks off but it's important we do the hard work now to get into a good position."
