Injuries and a backline reshuffle has seen Queensland make seven changes for Saturday night's Super 14 clash with the unbeaten Sharks at Suncorp Stadium.

The Reds lost prop Greg Holmes and lock Van Humphries to shoulder injuries in the 15-11 defeat to NSW, forcing coach Phil Mooney to call up young loose-head Ben Daley and play Highlanders recruit Ezra Taylor off the bench.

Mooney has also returned Wallabies winger Digby Ioane to outside centre, in place of the axed Charlie Fetoai, opening a spot for Blair Connor on the wing.

"Once we made the call to move Digby from wing back to outside centre the change in the balance of the squad meant we had to leave Charlie out of the 22," said Mooney.

"It was a very difficult decision and particularly tough on Charlie."

Lineout general Humphries' injury has seen lock Adam Byrnes promoted from the bench into the second-row for the 10th-placed Reds.

Taylor will make his Queensland debut along with fellow reserves prop Jack Kennedy and former Broncos back Rod Davies while Daley and Connor will start for the first time.

"I'm confident that the young guys we've brought into the side have the ability to step up, as others before them have done when given the opportunity," Mooney said.

"The Sharks are a great side that deserve to be unbeaten so far in this competition thanks to their combination of power and speed.

"They will be a tough challenge but with a home crowd behind us we'll be looking to bring their winning run to an end."

Queensland: Mark McLinden, Blair Connor, Digby Ioane, Berrick Barnes (capt), Peter Hynes, Quade Cooper, Ben Lucas; Leroy Houston, Daniel Braid, Scott Higginbotham, Hugh McMeniman, Adam Byrnes, Laurie Weeks, Sean Hardman, Ben Daley. Res: Saia Faingaa, Jack Kennedy, Ezra Taylor, Poutasi Luafutu, Will Genia, Anthony Faingaa, Rod Davies.

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