Queensland's toughest Super 14 selection decision in recent memory has seen Australia's form No.6 Scott Higginbotham dumped for Saturday night's clash against the Chiefs.

Higginbotham has been a back-row revelation for the Reds in the absence of higher-profile forward teammates but has been dropped to the bench due to their return for the round seven home match.

Skipper James Horwill and fellow lock Van Humphries have returned from injuries to team in the second-row, pushing Wallabies enforcer Hugh McMeniman to his preferred position at blind-side flanker.

McMeniman highlighted Higginbotham's worth this season, rating him the front-runner for the Australian No.6 jersey due to his impressive form.

It's a fair compliment considering McMeniman himself would be the next in line if Ireland-based Rocky Elsom isn't cleared for an immediate Wallabies return under Robbie Deans in June.

"It will be good to be back on the side of the scrum and get to run a bit more and play a bit more of a looser game, (but) it's just a pity we can't fit a guy like Scotty Higginbotham in the run-on side," the 21-Test forward said.

"Hopefully I can do the job as good as he does.

"The (Test No.6) position is up for grabs but there's a lot of guys putting their best foot forward and Scotty is playing great footy and he'd be the No.1 choice right now."

Reds coach Phil Mooney admitted the decision to return both locks at the expense of Higginbotham and lock Adam Byrnes, who didn't even make the 22 after producing his best Super 14 game in the 25-13 upset of the Sharks, was the most difficult of his two-season tenure.

Mooney said veteran Humphries deserved to be recalled from a shoulder injury after being the form lock of the competition's first three rounds, while it was felt that starting the fit-again Horwill was the best approach in his return from foot surgery.

"I don't know how often in recent times we've had to leave form players out of our team but for me it's extremely pleasing to have that sort of competition for positions," he said.

Mooney made four changes to the side that scored three-tries-to-one against the Sharks with third-choice halfback Brendan McKibbin also picked on the bench to replace the suspended Will Genia.

Halves Ben Lucas (rib) and Quade Cooper (knee) have been cleared to start but prop Greg Holmes and fellow forward Ezra Taylor were not considered due to shoulder injuries.

In further good news to the Reds, McMeniman, one of five off-contract Wallabies Queensland have rated as must-keeps, gave a strong indication he wanted to stay at Ballymore through to the 2011 World Cup.

The previously injury-plagued forward's future rests mainly in the hands of the Australian Rugby Union as he's set to be a target of big-spending foreign clubs.

He rated the Queensland team spirit the best he's encountered.

"I'd like to stay here," the 25-year-old said.

"I'm pretty excited to be playing well with the boys, there's a great feeling in the team."

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