Brumbies flood premier division - The Canberra Times

Pat McCabe in action during training on May 8. Photo: Melissa Adams

The ACT Brumbies will flood Canberra's premier division on Saturday as the bulk of the Super Rugby squad aims for extra game time in the John I Dent Cup.

First grade teams will be bolstered by the inclusion of 17 Brumbies players.

It's likely it's the biggest contingent which has played in the capital on the same day with a host of stars searching for form.

The biggest inclusion is Wallabies hopeful Pat McCabe for Wests in their clash with the competition's youngest team - the Uni-Norths Owls.

McCabe has played 21 Tests for the Wallabies and 57 matches for the Brumbies.

But after recovering from a broken neck and a hamstring injury, he has been biding his time on the Brumbies bench with Christian Lealiifano filling the inside centre spot.

McCabe and Lealiifano loom as the two likely contenders for the Wallabies No12 jersey for the three Test series against the British and Irish Lions in June and July.

While McCabe has been starting on the bench, he could leapfrog Lealiifano into the gold Wallabies jersey given his international experience.

But to show Wallabies coach Robbie Deans he's ready for action, McCabe will launch his bid in front of a few hundred spectators at Jamison Oval.

The Easts-Royals clash at Griffith Oval will have the biggest Brumbies contingent.

There will be 10 Brumbies players in action with former Wallabies winger and comeback kid Clyde Rathbone suiting up for Easts again.

Brumbies centre Andrew Smith is on track to come back from his hamstring injury in the same match.

Scott Fardy will also return from injury and attempt to regain his spot in the Brumbies line up when he plays for Wests.

Saturday: John I Dent Cup. All games at 3.05pm.

Easts v Royals at Griffith Oval.

Brumbies in action: Easts - Stephan van der Walt, Ruan Smith, Jordan Smiler, Etienne Oosthuizen, Clyde Rathbone, Andrew Smith. Royals - Jordan Rapana, Robbie Abel, Mark Swanepoel, Siliva Siliva.

Wests v Uni-Norths Owls at Jamison Oval

Brumbies in action: Wests - Scott Fardy, Pat McCabe. Uni-Norths - Tom Cox, Ian Prior

Gungahlin Eagles v Queanbeyan Whites at Nicholls Oval

Brumbies in action: Gungahlin - Josh Mann-Rea. Queanbeyan - Leon Power, Robbie Coleman.