Easts are out to continue their mid-season resurgence in Round 12 of the Hospital Challenge Cup and they’ll get the toughest test of their mettle yet when they take on GPS at Yoku Road. 

With travel restrictions from Victoria lifted, the Tigers will be bolstered by Grand Final hero and Melbourne Rebel Rhys van Nek, who will partner Reds hooker Richie Asiata and John Paul Tominiko in the front row. 

The scrum shapes as a defining factor in this one, with both sides renowned for their dominance at set-piece over the last few seasons. 

The Tigers have again named an all-star back row of Liam Wright, Seru Uru and skipper Tom Milosevic, while Jack Hardy will see more minutes off the bench after a successful return from injury last weekend.

After comprehensively accounting for Norths last weekend, Jeeps have been forced into several changes to their starting XV. 

Fresh from a double last week, Mitch Treleaven moves from the wing to flyhalf in place of Jason Hofmeyr, seeing Emori Waqavulagi regain his spot on the wing. 

Daniel Byrne replaces Sam Curran at lock, while the experienced hooker Maile Ngauamo also returns to the starting lineup in place of Alex Casey. 

Further north, the University of Queensland will look to continue their unbeaten streak to 11 games when they face Norths at Hugh Courtney Oval. 

Queensland prop Dane Zander is out for the Eagles, meaning Kieran Fitzgibbon will return to the starting front row alongside Paulo Leleisiuao and Tonga Ma’afu. 

After suffering a nasty head cut last week, regular flyhalf Jacob Prideaux is out and will be replaced by Kyle Foxwell who moves in from the wing. 

Veresa Mataitini will return out wide as the Eagles strive for an upset in front of their home crowd. 

The Heavies have rewarded Ben Paxton-Hall and Lachlan Pheely for their strong form in the lower grades with a call up to the starting forward pack, while also making a number of changes to their backline. 

Scrumhalf Mosiah Christian will start on the wing as Kalani Thomas is back from Super Rugby duties, seeing Con Foley move to inside-centre, Kye Oates to outside and Braiden Oates retaining his spot on the wing. 

Rivals Bond University and Sunnybank will face off once again on the Gold Coast as the Bullsharks look to consolidate their spot in the top four. 

Junior Wallabies trio and 2019 GPS premiership winners Zane Nonggorr, Wilson Blyth and George Blake will feature together at Premier Grade level for the first time, with Wilson’s older brother Angus also set to add an abrasive edge to the Bond pack. 

The backline cavalry is beginning to return for the Bullsharks, Joey Fittock named to start after captain Dan Boardman made a successful return from injury last round. 

Sunnybank have also made a number of changes, with Peter Lee returning on the wing, Tui Nofoaiga named to make his starting debut in the number-12 jersey and Jeff Faamausili starting at number-eight, pushing Sam Mataafa to blindside flanker. 

Former London Wasps forward Josh Fenner also makes his return from an injury he suffered in the Bankers Round 1 victory over Easts. 

Souths host Wets to round out the action, with Wests a chance to regain their spot in the top-four with a win. 

Bronson Tauakipulu and Liam Usher return to the starting front row for the Bulldogs, as does Jono Kent at flyhalf. 

Ilaisa Droasese adds spark at outside centre, with Cameron Phillips to make his starting debut at fullback. 

For the Magpies, Jack Farrell will make his comeback from injury in the back row and will combine with Thomas Lane and Liam Fletcher in Brad Kelegai’s absence. 

Leone Camma will start on the wing in the only change to an otherwise consistent backline.