By Tom Primmer

Five teams remain in finals contention in the Hospital Challenge Cup as the competition prepares to enter its fifteenth round this weekend.

Ladder-leaders the University of Queensland will travel south to face Bond University, who could drop out of the top-four with a loss in the inter-varsity clash.

The Heavies have made a number of changes to their side, with Brad Twidale returning at flyhalf and inside-centre TJ Siakisini starting and, while Will Roach and Connor Mitchell form a new combination in the back row.

After a narrow loss to GPS last week, the Bullsharks have been bolstered by the inclusion of Joey Fittock at fullback, while Junior Wallabies squad member George Blake will start in a youthful front row alongside Zane Nonggorr and Jack Winchester.

Bond skipper Dan Boardman believes his side his ready to go to another level as the true business stage of the season begins.

“Playing UQ, they’re always fit and play very fast in phase play,” Boardman said.

“We will have to counter act that with a smart kicking game and an effective tackle to stop them from making the gain line.

“The boys are extremely motivated knowing that there is a finals spot on the line in every game we play.

“If we can keep our errors down and can execute set piece, we will put ourselves in a really good place during this game.”

Easts’ premiership hopes may have faded into nothing, but the reigning premiers can still have a major say in the makeup of the top-four this season.

They’ll get the chance to do just that when they host Brothers this weekend, with the Brethren fighting with Wests and Bond for two remaining spots in the finals series.

After a win against the Bulldogs last week, Easts will go in full of confidence, with the likes of Liam Wright, Tom Milosevic and Rhys van Nek providing the forward pack with experience and punch.

Shane Kennedy starts at fullback as he returns to the side, while exciting youngster Tyrees Wilson will start on the wing.

Ryan Smith has been ruled out with concussion for Brothers, meaning Will Wilson and Tom Jeffries will start in the second row.

A hamstring injury has sidelined try-scoring phenom Billy Bulley, although he is well-replaced with Queensland Red Josh Flook back in the side on the wing.

Rebels and former Wallaby scrumhalf Joe Powell will start for the first time in the butcher’s stripes as the Brethren look to consolidate their spot in third on the competition ladder.

“With their big back row we will need to secure our own breakdown as well as combat a very experienced forward pack,” Brothers head coach Brendan Gabbett said.

“With the quality of backs they have we have to be wary of any turnover ball they get.

“Our Reds players bring experience more than anything. They play in big games on a weekly basis and have provided that calming influence for our team.”

At Sunnybank, the Dragons and the Bulldogs will play off with the Bankers also out to spoil the Bulldogs’ finals hopes.

With Moses Sorovi away with the Fijian side, Joel Atkins will start at scrumhalf alongside Carter Gordon in the halves.

Ilaisa Droasese makes the move to fullback, seeing Glen Vaihu and Fletcher Spicer start in the centres.

Two Rebels – Josh Kemeny and Ross Haylett-Petty – will bolster the forward pack, as Wests look to secure a win to move back into the top-four.

Chris Feauai-Sautia will play his second game for the home side, while with Neal McNamara unavailable Remmo van Rooyen will start at scrumhalf.

Returning prop Feao Fotuaika forms one third of an imposing front row alongside Dee Anae and Lloyd Gorman.

Hugh Courtney Oval plays host to the battle of the birds for the fourth game of the round, with Norths facing Souths.

Both sides are out of the finals race, but there’s plenty to play for with bragging rights on the line after the Eagles claimed their first encounter earlier in the season.

The hosts receive a pair huge boosts in the backline, with Veresa Mataitini and Connor Chittenden making their long-awaited returns at fullback and outside-centre respectively.

Fresh from a bye last weekend, Sean Farrell and Brad Kelegai are back in the starting side, as is flyhalf Harry Leerentveld who is back from injury.

Scrumhalf Hugo Smith will make his first Premier Grade start, pushing Jakob Morrison to the bench.