Harry Wilson begins his quest to take the next step in his rugby journey in Gladstone on Friday night.
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The former Gunnedah native has been named in the Queensland Reds squad to face the Melbourne Rebels in their Super Rugby trial match.
He comes into the season on the back of some great form after being named the 2019 National Rugby Championship's Rising Star.
Wilson said he wouldn't shy away from his next challenge after dominating the second-tier competition last season.
"I'll take the confidence from there, backing myself and hopefully it transfers into Super Rugby - but I guess I'll find out tomorrow," he said.
"(The backrow depth) makes training very difficult, very competitive in a good way.
"But it matters what you do in a game so all of us tomorrow will be ripping in, playing together but playing as hard as you can."
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James O'Connor is set to make his long-awaited return for the Reds in the match.
The Wallabies utility last played for the Reds five years ago, released from his contract that came in between stints in France and England respectively.
But O'Connor returned to Australian rugby with a point to prove, earning a World Cup spot last year and he is now keen to help end the Reds' seven-year finals drought.
O'Connor is part of coach Brad Thorn's 28-man squad to face the Rebels in one of just two pre-season hit-outs.
World Cup duo Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Taniela Tupou have also been named, along with new skipper Liam Wright, who made his Test debut last year.
However fellow Wallabies Izack Rodda and Jordan Petaia have been rested, along with off-season recruit Henry Speight, who has a fight on his hands to earn a starting spot on the wing this season despite boasting 19 Test caps.
A logjam of backrowers, including Wilson and Junior Wallabies team-mate Fraser McReight, will also compete for minutes before their first-round clash with the Brumbies on January 31.
McReight had off-season hip surgery and wasn't named to play in Gladstone.
But the emerging pair are likely to push Salakaia-Loto, Wright and Angus Scott-Young for backrow minutes this season since the departure of former captain Scott Higginbotham.
Glen Innes' Alex Newsome has meanwhile been named on the wing for the NSW Waratahs in their trial against the Highlanders on Friday night at Leichhardt Oval.
Reds squad: Dane Zander, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Alex Mafi, Sean Farrell, Efi Ma'afu, Taniela Tupou, Dave Feao, Josh Nasser, Angus Blyth, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Ryan Smith, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Angus Scott-Young, Liam Wright, Harry Wilson, Seru Uru, Tate McDermott, Moses Sorovi, Isaac Lucas, James O'Connor, Hamish Stewart, Hunter Paisami, Chris Feauai-Sautia, Filipo Daugunu, Jock Campbell, Ilaisa Droasese, Bryce Hegarty, Lawson Creighton.
Australian Associated Press