Teenage flanker Liam Gill will get a chance to stake his claim for Queensland's vacant No.7 jersey in Saturday's rugby trial match against the Crusaders in Cairns.

After the departure of ex-All Blacks forward Daniel Braid at the end of last season, a host of backrowers are competing for the openside flanker spot for the new Super Rugby season.

Queensland have scheduled just two trial games before their campaign begins at home against the Western Force on February 20 and Reds coach Ewen McKenzie has given Gill the first chance to impress on the side of the scrum.

Gill, 18, captained the Australian Schoolboys on their tour of the United Kingdom in 2009 and was a regular in the Australian Sevens team in 2010 that won a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

Former Waratahs Lei Tomiki and Beau Robinson are also in the frame to snare the openside flanker role, although Wallabies backrower Scott Higginbotham, who will start at No.8 against the Crusaders, is also an option.

Reds captain James Horwill has been named at lock in what will be his first game since suffering a season-ending knee injury against the Crusaders last season.

Wallabies flyer Digby Ioane, who will start at outside centre, is another returning from a serious injury after having a shoulder reconstruction last July.

The Reds' final trial will be against the Brumbies in Darwin on February 5.

Queensland team: Rod Davies, Aidan Toua, Digby Ioane, Will Chambers, Luke Morahan, Quade Cooper, Will Genia (vice-capt), Scott Higginbotham, Liam Gill, Radike Samo, Van Humphries, James Horwill (capt), James Slipper, Saia Faingaa, Ben Daley. Res: Kimami Sitauti, Ben Tapuai, Mike Harris, Ian Prior, Leroy Houston, Lei Tomiki, Beau Robinson, Ben Coridas, David McDuling, Guy Shepherdson, James Hanson, Albert Anae, Greg Holmes

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