THE rebuilding Force franchise have signed two locks — including 2.08m giant Richie Arnold — for the 2017 Super Rugby season.

Arnold and former Australian under-20s second-rower Matt Philip have both penned deals with the Perth-based club, who have a new coach in Dave Wessels.

Arnold, 26, is the identical twin brother of Brumbies and Wallabies lock Rory, who has enjoyed a strong debut Test season.

Arnold joined the Force last November but suffered multiple injury setbacks which kept him off the park this year.

“I’m super happy to have re-signed with the Western Force,” Arnold said.

“This year I’ve had a pretty bad season with injury which was tough but that’s rugby.

“At the moment the body feels really good, it’s been a little over three months since the shoulder reconstruction so come pre-season I’ll be able to do most of the running and work myself into the contact training.

“Being on the sidelines and doing rehabilitation work for the whole of last season was hard because you want to be out there playing but it has definitely increased my drive for the 2017 season and hopefully I can make my debut.”

Richie Arnold poses during a Queensland Country headshots Session at Ballymore. Source: Getty Images

Philip, 22, was called into the Force squad in a training capacity last season and he earned three Super Rugby caps after injuries hit the club’s second-row stocks.

“I’m really excited to come in and rip in,” Philip said.

“Obviously there is a whole new environment at the Force now and I feel like there could be something special building at the club.

“When I came over last season I had getting a contract for 2017 in mind every training session and every game.

“I felt like this was the place I wanted to be in the future so I’m stoked to be given the chance to come back.”

Philip is coming off a season playing for Southland in New Zealand’s Mitre 10 Cup and said it had helped his game immensely.

“From playing over there you can tell why the All Blacks are so good,” Philip said.

“The skill level is so high, I think I learnt a lot and hopefully I can bring something back and contribute to the group.”

Matt Philip of the Force in action against the Stormers. Source: News Corp Australia

Wessels was delighted to secure the second-row pair.

“It’s great to have Richie on board,” Wessels said.

“He has taken a little while to get his body right but there is a great Afrikaans saying which is ‘vroeg ryp vroeg vrot,’ which means ‘if you ripen early, then you rot early,’ so we think Richie will be great for us.

“I’m really excited to see how Richie goes this year because he has had to work so hard for it. “He has all the attributes to be a world class player, he’s a very big man, he’s aggressive and most importantly he really wants this opportunity, so we are looking forward to getting a full season out of him.”

“Matty is an example of someone who got half a sniff and really made the most of it.

“When he came in last year he really showed a desire to learn and his ability to understand information tells me that he can certainly play elite level rugby.”

“Matt has been very dedicated to getting his body to the point where he can physically hold his own at Super Rugby and we are looking to get a full preseason out of him to develop that even further.

“The spots in that second row have become really competitive for us with Richie, Matt, Ben Matwijow, Ross Haylett-Petty and Adam Coleman all fighting it out.”