Super Rugby Pacific: Western Force announce return of prop Harry Johnson-Holmes after injury-hit first season

Western Force have moved to bolster their front row stocks by re-signing Harry Johnson-Holmes after the tightehead prop missed all of last season through injury. And the move could have an important knock-on effect for fan favourite and reigning Nathan Sharpe medallist Tom Robertson as the Force look to avoid the front-row woes they have faced over the past two seasons. Former Waratah Johnson-Holmes is still waiting to make his professional Force debut after tearing his ACL warming up for their final pre-season match in January. It extended a rotten run of injuries for the prop, whose final season for the Waratahs ended with a ruptured Achilles. Johnson-Holmes was not the only Force prop to suffer a season-ending injury last season, as Harry Hoopert also tore his ACL in pre-season and rising star Marley Pearce had his year ended by a shoulder injury. It put strain on the Force’s prop department and scrum, with versatile Wallaby Robertson switching from loosehead to the other side of the scrum. Robertson was voted the Force’s best player playing slightly out of position, but showed his worth in the no.1 jersey when he helped his side pose problems for the British and Irish Lions’ vaunted scrum in the tourists’ opening game. With Johnson-Holmes returning, it could allow Robertson to slide back to his favoured side of the scrum. 28 year-old Johnson-Holmes has 91 Super Rugby games across seven seasons with the Waratahs on his resume and has one Wallabies cap to his name, against South Africa in 2019. “Last year was disappointing with the injury so now I feel I’ve got unfinished business at the Force, so I’m thrilled to sign on for 2026,” Johnson-Holmes said. “I’m excited to get back and be among this playing group. It hurt a lot to not be out there helping the guys last season, which has given me even more drive and ambition to get back. “My rehabilitation has gone well and I’m grateful to the Force medical team who’ve done a really good job getting me back with a view to a full pre-season leading into 2026.” Force head coach Simon Cron said Johnson-Holmes’ own versatility to play both prop positions and character made him an easy re-signing. “Harry is brilliant both sides of the scrum and that alone would be enough to want to lock him in again. Luckily, he is also a great man and adds to our environment,” he said. “The medical department have worked really hard with Harry and got him in a great spot to return to full training later this year. “He’s still a key part of our squad make-up and we believe he’ll add a lot for us moving forward.”