Flanker Adam Thomson is set to play his 50th Super Rugby match for the Highlanders on Friday night, returning to the side after almost a month off with a rib injury.
Thomson was named in last week's team to play the South African side the Lions but was a late withdrawal and had to sit and watch his side succumb late in the match.
That loss meant the Highlanders dropped out of the top six and a win against the Force will keep their playoff hopes alive.
Loose foward John Hardie also comes into the pack replacing Alando Soakai, who drops to the reserves while All Black Tom Donnelly returns to the squad having overcome a back injury.
