Western Force coach John Mitchell admits it's a big gamble to recall injury-plagued Lachlan MacKay to play just his fourth Super 14 match in three seasons against the Crusaders in Perth on Sunday.

MacKay was a shock inclusion in the Force midfield announced today, the former Wallaby at inside centre after winger Nick Cummins was forced out with a shoulder injury.

With halfback Chris O'Young also drafted for his first start since returning to Perth to replace the disgraced Matt Henjak.

"Lachie is coming back from a long rehabilitation and there comes a time when we have got to know as a group what he can offer, and he has got know himself,'' Mitchell said of MacKay's appearance in the team's firs thome match of the year.

"He is a very experienced footballer even though he has been out of football - and I am always prepared to take a risk and do what is best for the team.''

MacKay's Force career has been beset by injuries, with hamstring and knee problems taking him from a Wallaby debut against New Zealand in 2005 to a near permanent fixture in the Force treatment room.

The former Waratah just want to contribute.

"It feels like an age, but the boys have been great for support,'' MacKay said today.

"One I want to get through the game, but once you are out there you don't just want to survive you want to make an impression.''

O'Young's inclusion comes after he was flown to South Africa in the wake of the Henjak fall-out but then failed to even make the bench in the two wins against the Lions and Cheetahs.

"You have to get started sometime, no use worrying about it. He's part of the squad, he's returned as a Force man, and that's pretty exciting for him,'' Mitchell said.

"We certainly value his experience. I'm sure he'll be a little bit rusty at times but he'll be fine.''

Mitchell also shuffled his pack again, dropping Scott Fava from the squad, ignoring David Pusey in favour of young lock Tom Hockings, and recalling prop AJ Whalley.

In a huge boost for the visitors, skipper Richie McCaw was named in their side, despite a precautionary early departure from training yesterday.

Winger Scott Hamilton and props Greg Somerville and Ben Franks return to the starting line-up, with coach Robbie Deans wary of the Force side despite never having lost to them in Super 14 or trial games.

"They raise the bar when they are asked too, and this is especially the case when they are playing at home. That makes them a very difficult opponent,'' Deans said.

"We have already achieved something on this trip - in terms of coming through South Africa unbeaten.

"And Sunday provides us with the chance to do something we have never done before - by winning a game in Perth.''

WESTERN FORCE: Cameron Shepherd, Scott Staniforth, Ryan Cross, Lachlan Mackay, Drew Mitchell, Matt Giteau, Chris O'Young, Richard Brown, David Pocock, Tamaiti Horua, Nathan Sharpe (capt), Tom Hockings, AJ Whalley, Tai McIsaac, Gareth Hardy. Res: Luke Holmes, Troy Takiari , Sam Wykes, Matt Hodgson, James Stannard, Scott Daruda, Josh Tatupu

CRUSADERS: Leon MacDonald, Scott Hamilton, Casey Laulala, Stephen Brett, Caleb Ralph, Daniel Carter, Andrew Ellis, Mose Tuialii, Richard McCaw (capt), Kieran Read, Ali Williams, Brad Thorn, Greg Somerville, Corey Flynn, Ben Franks. Res: Tii Paulo, Wyatt Crockett, Reuben Thorne, Nasi Manu, Kahn Fotualii, Tim Bateman, Sean Maitland.

AAP