Premiership favourites the University of Queensland and GPS face off in Round 16 of the Hospital Challenge Cup in what shapes as the match of the season so far, while a number of Wallabies have bolstered Wests’ finals hopes.

Still unbeaten in 2021, Uni can sew up the minor premiership with a win over their great rivals at St Lucia on Saturday afternoon, as the clubs also contest the Bunter Bowl and Welsby Cup as mid-season ladder leaders.

Destructive back rower Lona Halaholo returns to start at number-eight for the Heavies, while rising star Lukas Ripley will run-on at outside-centre in place of veteran Con Foley.

The performance of front rowers Alex Davies, Cam Flavell and Hamish Richardson will be pivotal, with the GPS pack gaining ascendancy in their last encounter with the Students.

Starting well will be key for the Gallopers, who let UQ out to a head-start last time they played.

After a bye week last week, the electric Josh Collins returns on the wing Jeeps and will partner Pat Nicholson and Mitch Treleaven in the back three.

Matt Gicquel, who has arguably been the player of the competition in 2021, will be a huge factor at the breakdown, as will his positional battle against the abrasive Sam Wallis.

UQ assistant coach Elton Berrange said his side his preparing for a tough task against their fierce rivals, although won’t be showcasing their full array of skills ahead of their semi-final clash in a few week’s time.

“We are playing each other in three weeks, we know that that’s locked in,” Berrange said.

“We want to perform well but we don’t want to give too much up.

“Jeeps have the ability to play a few different styles and we hope we’re going to be ready for all those styles.

“You just can’t take your eye off some of their threats around the breakdown. Gicquel hurt us there, Ratu Vio hurt us there with some easy tries there. We’ll be looking at that and we have already looked at that to make sure that we cannot give away soft stuff.

“Our scrum has come a long way since then, so hopefully we can really man up there and own that part of the game.”

It’s a Melbourne Rebels and Wallaby feast at Sylvan Road on Saturday as Wests look to consolidate their spot in the top four when they take on Bond University.

Wallabies squad members Jordan Uelese, Rob Leota, Trevor Hosea, Pone Fa’amausili will feature for the Bulldogs alongside an already strong Rebels contingent which includes Ross Haylett-Petty, Carter Gordon and Ross Haylett-Petty.

In exciting news for Queensland fans, Jordan Petaia makes his long-awaited return from a hamstring injury and will push for Bledisloe Cup selection from fullback.

After a loss last weekend, Bond have dropped out of the top-four for the first time this season and will need a big performance with their finals hopes hanging by a thread.

Joey Fittock returns to his preferred position of fullback, with him and Petaia sure to scorch the turf of Sci-Fleet Stadium in a huge battle.

Spencer Jeans and James Abrosini combine in the halves, with George Blake, Jack Winchester and Zane Nonggor starting up front.

Brothers take on Sunnybank at Crosby Park, with a win doing plenty for their finals ambitions.

Another Wallaby squad member in Fraser McReight makes his return in the butcher’s stripes, while newly crowned Queensland Reds rookie of the year Ryan Smith is back from concussion.

Liam McNamara has made the move to fullback for the Bankers, seeing Connor Mulhearn start at flyhalf, while Dee Anae and Nesta Mahina return to start in the front row for the visitors.

Rivals Souths and Easts head to Chipsy Wood Oval this weekend as both sides look to end their campaigns on a high note.

Jakob Morrison and Roman Prasad are back in the halves for the Magpies in what is an otherwise unchanged XV.

Easts have named an all star back row in Liam Wright, Seru Uru and captain Tom Milosevic, while Richie Asiata is also back alongside Rhys van Nek in a strong front row.