Coach John Mitchell has re-shuffled his Western Force team in preparation for their Super 14 rugby match against the Sharks in Durban.

The Force, who have won four of their past six matches, are determined to finish their season with a win and snare their first victory at Absa Stadium when they take on the Sharks on Friday (early Saturday AEST).

They are also hoping to rebound from last weekend's clumsy performance against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein, where the South Africans were handed a 29-14 win.

The Force conceded four tries in the opening half - all a result of errors.

Pek Cowan and Ben Whittaker have been called into the front row while the strength of aggressive young-gun Ben McCalman will be used at lock.

Scrumhalf Brett Sheehan has also been returned to the squad, creating what Mitchell says is the strongest team possible to take on the in-form Sharks, who have won six of their past seven matches.

"We're coming up against what we feel will be a physical pack and a physical night of rugby," said Mitchell.

"Not only do we have to meet that head on but also find a way to outsmart them.

"This is probably the strongest mix that we can put together based on what we have seen throughout the year," he said.

Mitchell said losing the last game of the season is not an option.

"Being our last game you have to take the performance into the remainder of the winter and into the next pre-season," he said.

"It is important to finish on a high. Losing or coming close is not an option."

Western Force: James O'Connor, Nick Cummins, Mitch Inman, Ryan Cross, Cameron Shepherd, David Hill, Brett Sheehan, Richard Brown, David Pocock, Matt Hodgson, Nathan Sharpe, Ben McCalman, Tim Fairbrother, Ben Whittaker, Pek Cowan. Res: Nathan Charles, Matt Dunning, Sam Wykes, Tom Hockings, Justin Turner, Sam Harris, Mark Bartholomeusz.

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