Three players will make their run on debuts for the Queensland Reds when they face the Lions at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Reds coach Brad Thorn has made for changes to his side with veteran flanker George Smith, winger Jordan Petaia, prop JP Smith and flyhalf Hamish Stewart getting the starting nod for the first time this season.

Regular starters James Slipper and Jono lance have been ruled out of the match due to injury.

Petaia, who recently became the Reds’ youngest-ever Super Rugby debutant, has earned his first Super Rugby start on the wing, ahead of Izaia Perese, who has shifted to the bench.

JP Smith, in his run-on debut for Queensland, has been brought into the starting side to replace Slipper, who has been ruled out due to a collar bone injury sustained against the NSW Waratahs two weeks ago.

Stewart has been promoted in place of Lance, who is still recovering from a concussion suffered in last weekend’s match. The match will be Stewart’s first start in Super Rugby.

The Reds have also made a number of changes to the bench, with Dalby’s Harry Hoopert named for a potential Queensland and Super Rugby debut.

The 19-year-old prop from Toowoomba Grammar School is in his first year of Super Rugby after helping Queensland U20s to back-to-back Super U20s Championships in 2016 and 2017.

“We’ve got a big challenge ahead of us this weekend. The Lions, being last year’s finalists, are an impressive team. It’s no secret we were disappointed with how we started the match last weekend and the guys are determined to get back out there and put in an 80-minute performance,” Thorn said.

“We’ve been forced into making some changes due to injury, but the guys getting the nod have been working hard and deserve an opportunity in the starting side.

“It’s an exciting moment for Hamish and Jordan, earning their first starts in Super Rugby. They’re talented, hard-working young men who will make the most of the opportunity.

“George also gets his first chance to start this year, after working his way back from injury. He’s a seasoned campaigner and adds significant experience to the team. We’re looking forward to seeing him back at his best.

“Harry Hoopert is another exciting prospect who will potentially get his first crack in a Queensland jersey this weekend. We’ve had our eye on him for a few years and he has been building to this. It’s a proud moment for his family and the Darling Downs community, which continues to produce talented Rugby players.”

The Reds host the Lions at Suncorp Stadium this Saturday at 3:05pm AEST

Queensland Reds team to play Lions

1. JP Smith*** – GPS (GPS socks)
2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa – Sunnybank (Sunnybank socks)
3. Taniela Tupou – Brothers (Brothers and Sacred Heart College socks)
4. Izack Rodda – Easts (Lismore City and Ballina Rugby Club socks)
5. Kane Douglas – Norths (Yamba Buccaneers socks)
6. Angus Scott-Young – University of Queensland (Anglican Church Grammar School socks)
7. George Smith – Brothers (Brothers socks)
8. Caleb Timu – Souths (Marsden State High School socks)
9. Ben Lucas – Sunnybank (Sunnybank socks)
10. Hamish Stewart** – Bond University (Toowoomba Grammar School socks)
11. Jordan Petaia** – Wests (Brisbane State High School socks)
12. Samu Kerevi (C) – Souths (Brisbane State High School socks)
13. Chris Feauai-Sautia – Souths (Brisbane State High School socks)
14. Filipo Daugunu – Wests (Wests socks)
15. Aidan Toua – Easts (Anglican Church Grammar School socks)

16. Alex Mafi – Bond University (St. Joseph’s Nudgee College socks)
17. Harry Hoopert* – Brothers (Dalby Wheatman socks)
18. Ruan Smith – GPS (GPS socks)
19. Harry Hockings – University of Queensland (Anglican Church Grammar School socks)
20. Adam Korczyk – University of Queensland (Brisbane State High School socks)
21. Moses Sorovi – Wests (St. Peters Lutheran College socks)
22. Duncan Paia’aua – Norths (Emmaus College Rockhampton socks)
23. Izaia Perese – Easts (Anglican Church Grammar School socks)
*potential Queensland/Super Rugby debut
**run-on debut
***run-on debut for Queensland