Rugby: Force to sign Josh Holmes

With their injury toll continuing to mount, the Western Force are poised to sign former NSW Waratahs and Brumbies halfback Josh Holmes for the remainder of the Super Rugby season. The Force's halfback stocks took another blow on Friday night when James Stannard injured his ankle in the 45-19 win over the Queensland Reds. Although Stannard has been used as the Force's first-choice five-eighth this season, he has also spent significant periods of games at halfback whenever Brett Sheehan has been subbed off. Justin Turner is Sheehan's regular back-up, but the 22-year-old is out of action for two months due to a knee injury. Holmes, who has been with French club Bourgoin, is expected to sign with the Force in the coming days. If the paperwork is processed in time, the 25-year-old will take his place in the match-day squad for Friday night's home clash with the third-placed Chiefs. The severity of Stannard's ankle injury is expected to be known by Tuesday morning. The Force are on a high after their demolition job on the Reds, in which they ran in five tries to three to notch their first home win of the year.