With Laurie Weeks having dislocated his shoulder and Paul Alo-Emile struggling with an ankle injury, the Rebels have been left short of options at tighthead prop.

Australia international Rodney Blake will start against the Brumbies, but coach Damien Hill had been hoping to convince Somerville to provide cover from the bench.

However Somerville, who hung up his boots after playing for the Melbourne franchise in their inaugural season, has turned down Hill's advances.

Hill is now hoping to bring in a payer in time for Saturday's clash - although loosehead prop Eddie Aholelei could be called in from the Rebels' wider training group as a last resort.