David Pocock Brumbies Super Rugby Highlanders

David Pocock has been passed fit to return for Brumbies' Super Rugby quarter-final against defending champions Highlanders at GIO Stadium on Friday.

The influential flanker has been sidelined since suffering a fractured eye during Australia's defeat against England in the first Test last month.

Pocock made a timely return to training last week sporting protective head gear and the back row was on Wednesday named at openside in Stephen Larkham's starting line-up for the last-eight encounter in Canberra.

Australian Conference winners Brumbies will be without lock Rory Arnold, who sustained an elbow injury in the victory over Western Force last week.

Blake Enever get the nod to replace Arnold, while Robbie Coleman is preferred to James Dargaville on the wing.

Jamie Joseph has made to two alterations to the Highlanders side following the win over Chiefs, with number eight Liam Squire starting and Luke Whitelock switching to lock.

Flanker Shane Christie has recovered from illness to come in for James Lentjes.