Quade Cooper will start at flyhalf for the Reds against the Lions in Brisbane on Friday.
Cooper, who has not played since the Wallabies' end-of-year tour, is one of four returning backs along with James O’Connor, Samu Kerevi and Lachie Turner.
The flyhalf admitted medical staff had no input when he asked three teammates, including 108kg centre Samu Kerevi, to test out his shoulder.
'I asked if they could put a few hits on me. I got dusted up once by Samu – I am lucky I got through unscathed,' said Cooper with a smile.
In other changes to the match 23, props Greg Holmes and Ben Daley are also back from injury but have been named on the bench.
Reds – 15 Lachie Turner, 14 Chris Kuridrani, 13 Samu Kerevi, 12 Anthiny Fainga'a, 11 James O'Connor, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Jake Schatz, 7 Curtis Browning, 6 Adam Thompson, 5 Dave McDuling, 4 James Horwill, 3 Sam Talakai, 2 James Hanson, 1 James Slipper (c).
Subs: 16 Saia Fainga'a, 17 Ben Daley, 18 Greg Holmes, 19 Marco Kotze, 20 Michael Gunn, 21 Nick Frisby, 22 Ben Tapuai, 23 Chris Feauai-Sautia.
Photo: Phil Walter/Getty Images
