ACT Brumbies recall Ryan Lonergan for Super Rugby AU clash with Melbourne Rebels

Brumbies coach Dan McKellar will hold White back until after next week's bye, meaning White will enter the frame for a round eight clash with the NSW Waratahs on August 22.

That would give the the 30-year-old, who returned to Canberra early from a stint with Exeter, three matches before the Super Rugby AU finals to find his rhythm.

It comes as young gun Ryan Lonergan prepares to play his first match in almost five months to further bolster the club's depth in the No. 9 jersey.

Lonergan will be named on the Brumbies' bench for a game against the Melbourne Rebels at Leichhardt Oval on Friday night.

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It ends a long wait for the rising star after an ankle injury kept Lonergan sidelined for the opening half of the domestic competition with Issak Fines filling the void behind starter Joe Powell.

The Rebels match will mark Lonergan's first appearance since the Brumbies thrashed the NSW Waratahs on March 15 before the coronavirus pandemic brought the competition to a halt.

His inclusion is a huge boost heading into the club's final match before a bye, after which White will enter calculations.

"[White] had been in isolation for a period of time so we needed to give him a few weeks," McKellar said.

"He's turned up in very good condition, he's very fit. He's competitive and he's keen to play, so he'll come into consideration after the bye.

"We're very blessed at the moment with the amount of quality we've got. Lonners is back from injury, Issak Fines got an opportunity to come off the bench and played really well.

"Joey Powell has hit the ground running since the return to competition, and Whitey, through the virus we got him back at the Brumbies earlier than we expected."

Uncertainty hovers over the Wallabies' end of season internationals due to the coronavirus pandemic but White is determined to give himself every chance of being match fit.

Because the chance to wear Australian gold is what lured White home when he signed a two-year deal with the Brumbies, which has effectively turned into a two-and-a-half season contract.

McKellar is also set to draft winger Andy Muirhead and back-rower Tom Cusack into the starting side in search of a 10^th straight Australian derby victory.

Muirhead will come into the starting XV for in-form winger Tom Wright, while Will Miller shuffles back to the bench for 27-year-old Cusack.

Wright has been a star for the Brumbies this year but McKellar has backed in a rotation policy to keep his players fresh amid a bizarre 2020 campaign, with all three wing options - Wright, Muirhead and Solomone Kata - enjoying strong seasons.

Now Lonergan will look to make the most of a shot he has been yearning for since he suffered ankle bone bruising in the lead up to round one of the new season.

"He's champing at the bit," McKellar said.

"It's good to have Lonners back, he had a really good start to the year and made some really good contributions both starting and off the bench.

"We didn't anticipate he'd be out for the first five weeks of the competition but that's how it's turned out. He's back fit and available now which is good."

SUPER RUGBY AU ROUND SIX

Friday: Melbourne Rebels v ACT Brumbies at Leichhardt Oval, 7.05pm.