Higginbotham leads Reds against Brumbies
The Reds have made two personnel changes to the starting XV which suffered a narrow loss to the Stormers two weeks ago, with Higginbotham and Eto Nabuli returning.
Higginbotham's promotion has seen a shuffle in the back row, with Caleb Timu moving to blindside flank and promising youngster Angus Scott-Young dropping out of the 23.
Nabuli's move back to the starting wing sees Chris Feauai-Sautia shift to the centres to build on his combination with Kerevi, with Duncan Paia'aua dropping out of the 23.
The Reds have also made a number of changes to the bench, most notably bringing in 18-year-old outside back Jordan Petaia for his potential Queensland and Super Rugby debut.
Should he take the field, the Brisbane State High School graduate will be Queensland's first debutant born this millennium and the youngest-ever Super Rugby debutant for the Reds at 18 years and 24 days old.
The Reds will also welcome back lock Lukhan Tui, who has been named on the bench for the first time since serving a three-match suspension. Tui takes the place of promising young lock Harry Hockings.
In the other changes to the bench, former Brumbies prop Ruan Smith replaces Sef Fa'agase, scrumhalf James Tuttle replaces Tate McDermott and flank Liam Wright is back in for the first time since Round 5.
Reds: 15 Aidan Toua, 14 Filipo Daugunu, 13 Chris Feauai-Sautia, 12 Samu Kerevi, 11 Eto Nabuli, 10 Jono Lance, 9 Ben Lucas, 8 Scott Higginbotham (captain), 7 Adam Korczyk, 6 Caleb Timu, 5 Kane Douglas, 4 Izack Rodda, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1 James Slipper.
Replacements: 16 Alex Mafi, 17 Jean-Pierre Smith, 18 Ruan Smith, 19 Lukhan Tui, 20 Liam Wright, 21 James Tuttle, 22 Hamish Stewart, 23 Jordan Petaia.
Date: Saturday, April 7
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
Kick-off: 19.45 (09.35 GMT)
Referee: Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Nick Briant (New Zealand), James Leckie (Australia)
TMO: George Ayoub (Australia)
