The Otago Sassenachs host Mid Canterbury at the University Oval this afternoon and the match shapes as an important fixture for first five-eighth Peter Breen and lock Josh Dickson.
Breen brought up a 100 games for Alhambra-Union earlier this season but has barely featured in the club competition thanks to a foot injury and a concussion.
''It is going to be exciting to get Peter Breen back on the park,'' Brown said.
''He's had a pretty tough club year. He has only played two games I think ... but he is raring to go.''
Both are involved in the club semifinals this weekend and were not considered for selection.
Dickson is another player who has spent much time on the sideline this season. He picked up a sternum injury in March. He is still on light duties and played about only 20 minutes for University A on Saturday.
In his absence, he has packed on about 6kg of muscle and is expected to get another 20 minutes of game time today.
''He has gained a bit of weight and did really well on Saturday,'' Brown said.
''[Today] is another step up for him and, hopefully, he continues to get a bit of confidence and will be ready to go in the semifinal for Varsity.''
The Sassenachs have been picked from the bottom six clubs, so there will be personnel changes for the July 26 fixture against the Southland Spartans and Otago's warm-up match against Tasman next month.
But that said, Brown is looking for a cohesive performance and a step up from the level seen in club rugby.
''I'm hoping the guys will get some combinations going with each other. They've been playing against each other all year so now it is about coming together as a team.''
Otago Sassenachs v Mid Canterbury
Today, University Oval, 2pm
Otago Sassenachs: Tony Ensor, Matt Jones, Sean Conner, Jayden Spence, Lachie Moore, Peter Breen, Ed Hoadley, Matthew Vai, Theo Commissaris, Josh Clark, Josh Dickson, Blair Tweed, Donald Brighouse, Tom Hardy, Craig Millar. Reserves: Jonah Aoina, Lachie Landels, Shaun Stodart, Jared Williams, Mark Grieve-Dunn, Hame Toma, Ben Tuiomanufili, Matt Te Tana, Tili Puloka, Fapene Popoali'i, Christian Walker, Noah Cooper.
NB: Free entry
