The battling Easts pack will get a major lift on Saturday with hooker Andrew Ready committed to the StoreLocal Hospital Cup after his season in France.
Ready’s release from French second division club Colomiers was only finalised on Thursday but in time for him to start against Souths at Bottomley Park in Round 13.
Ready’s decade of experience in professional rugby will be of huge value to the cubs in the Tigers pack, especially because it coincides with the return of lock Will Sankey from a stint in the ACT Brumbies squad.
Ready, 30, is hardened by playing 46 of a possible 60 games with Colomiers over the past two seasons.
He is still young by front-row standards in France where the former Queensland Reds and Western Force hooker would jump at an offer to continue for another club.
“I always love coming back to the Tigers. It’s a great club of good people,” said Ready, a member of Easts' 2013 premiership side.
“You’re the young bloke for a period of your own career. Now, I’m the older guy mingling with the young guys and wanting to pass on a few things.”
Ready said his command of French extended beyond menu French when ordering baguettes and croissants but not by much.
“My three-year-old (Harry) was teaching me words so, yeah, my French was pretty terrible even after six months of lessons,” Ready said.
“I did learn plenty on the field. French rugby is about the set piece…massive scrums, heavy contact and you are always taking the shot at three points from a penalty.
“I really enjoyed it and the body feels like it has more to give.”
The inclusion of Reds forwards John Bryant and Connor Vest beefs up the Souths pack while coach Garrick Morgan has come up with a creative solution to cover the suspension of centre Alofa Alofa in the backline with Kohan Herbert installed at inside centre.
At Crosby Park, heavyweights Brothers and University of Queensland meet in the latest edition of Premier Rugby’s greatest rivalry.
Brothers will be bolstered by the return of No.8 Harry Wilson, after recovering from a broken arm, flying winger Tim Ryan and lock Ryan Smith.
Uni will get their own boost from a trio of Reds. Fullback Jock Campbell, winger Mac Grealy and No.8 Joe Brial will be in harness.
Uni won 25-22 when the sides met in April.
“Brothers are undoubtedly the toughest team in the comp,” Uni coach Elton Barrange said.
“It’s good that Brothers are getting some of the Reds guys back. It’s super exciting for us because they are a team we want to play later in the season.”
Uni also have experienced forward Adam Korczyk returning from bone bruising in a lower limb.
Bond University are at home to Norths on the Gold Coast. The Bull Sharks will be stiffened up front by Matt Gibbon, the accomplished Melbourne Rebels prop.
At Ashgrove, GPS will host Sunnybank.
