Holmes returns for Reds against Rebels
The Queensland-based franchise play the Melbourne Rebels at Suncorp Stadium this Friday.
The Reds have made three changes to the starting side which took the field last week, boosted by the return from injury of Holmes.
Holmes (currently on 143 Super Rugby caps and 145 Queensland caps) will join English club Exeter next season.
He leaves the Reds as the most-capped prop in Queensland history, overtaking Stan Pilecki in 2015.
He is also the most-capped Reds player in Super Rugby history and second on the list for overall Queensland appearances (behind Sean Hardman on 148).
Injury has forced the other changes, with prop James Slipper (sternum) and fullback Jack Tuttle (shoulder) replaced by Sef Fa'agase and Tom Banks respectively.
The match will be Banks' first start in Super Rugby, after making his Reds debut off the bench last year.
Slipper's absence has prompted the promotion of departing flanker Liam Gill to the role of captain for his final match at Suncorp Stadium before heading overseas for a two-year stint in France. While Gill has previously assumed the role of captain when Slipper was substituted during games, this is the first time he has been named skipper from the outset.
The Reds have also made three changes to the bench.
Departing hooker Saia Fainga'a and prop Ben Daley will get one last run for Queensland after both making a successful recovery from injury in time for the match, while Michael Gunn gets an opportunity in place of Leroy Houston.
The match will also be the last outing in the Queensland jersey for Curtis Browning before taking up a one-year deal in France.
“This is an important match for everyone in the team. It's the last time some of these guys will get to pull on the Queensland jersey and they're desperate to finish their time off with a performance we can all be proud of," said Reds co-interim head coach Nick Stiles.
“It's been a tough season, but we've had great support from the Queensland faithful all year and it would mean a lot if we can see them leave the stadium with a smile on their face and some reward for their passion.”
This season sees the return of charitable initiative ‘Be Great, Do Good', with Ben Daley, Michael Gunn and Cadeyrn Neville wearing unique headgear to support different charities by raising funds and awareness for their cause.
This week the players will wear headgear in support of the Leukaemia Foundation, following Gunn's fundraising efforts for the World's Greatest Shave earlier this year.
Reds: 15 Tom Banks, 14 Chris Kuridrani, 13 Samu Kerevi, 12 Henry Taefu, 11 Eto Nabuli, 10 Duncan Paia'aua, 9 Nick Frisby, 8 Curtis Browning, 7 Liam Gill (captain), 6 Hendrik Tui, 5 Kane Douglas, 4 Cadeyrn Neville, 3 Greg Holmes, 2 Andrew Ready, 1 Sef Fa'agase.
Replacements: 16 Saia Fainga'a, 17 Ben Daley, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Lukhan Tui, 20 Michael Gunn, 21 James Tuttle, 22 Alex Gibbon, 23 Campbell Magnay.
Date: Friday, July 15
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Kick-off: 19.45 (09.45 GMT)
Referee: Will Houston
Assistant referees: Andrew Lees, Amy Perrett
TMO: George Ayoub
