Western Force coach John Mitchell has urged the ARU to alter their rules to prevent players from signing with rival clubs mid-season.

Star flyhalf Matt Giteau's decision to return to the Brumbies at the end of the season has left the Force scrambling to secure the rest of their playing stocks, with Wallabies duo Drew Mitchell and James O'Connor among a raft of uncontracted players at the club contemplating a move east.

John Mitchell admitted the timing of Giteau's decision - just two rounds into the season - had been a major distraction and called on the ARU to review the current rules relating to contract negotiations.

"Hopefully people will see this situation and what we are experiencing as a club and they do consider looking at changing it going forward," Mitchell said on Thursday.

"I think it's important for players to be totally focused and committed to the one cause.

"Every person and player has rights but it must be a distraction for them at this time of year, and more importantly it must be a distraction to a team.

"It is an unusual model and system in professional sports."

With the future of several uncontracted players at the Force still up in the air, Mitchell said the club was trying its best to overcome the distraction ahead of a season-defining, three-game road trip starting with Saturday's derby clash with the Brumbies in Canberra.

"Some of the more experienced players handle it very well, it's how the younger players handle those situations where they haven't been in that scenario much in life," Mitchell said.

Mitchell made five changes to his starting line-up for the round three encounter against the Brumbies.

In the forwards, Prop Pek Cowan replaces Gareth Hardy (knee), while flanker Matt Hodgson and lock Tom Hockings have also earned berths in the starting XV.

Cameron Shepherd, who missed last week's 16-10 win over the Cheetahs with ankle soreness, returns to the starting XV but has been named on the wing, with Drew Mitchell to remain at fullback.

Junior Pelles has been named at inside centre in place of James O'Connor, who has struggled all week with an ankle injury but still secured a spot on the bench.

But there was no room in the 23-man travelling party for utility back Scott Staniforth, who played 12 minutes against the Cheetahs last week in his first game back since off-season knee surgery.

"While he's medically fit ... he's not fully match fit," Mitchell said of Staniforth, who will also miss games in New Zealand against the Chiefs and Crusaders unless injury strikes the Force and he is called up.

"I guess we need to be convinced he's fully match fit to go the 80 or get the starting position."

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