Nolan (25) started twice for Otago against Canterbury and Auckland in 2003 and looked destined for a long career.
But a fight with a pig stymied his progress when a razor-sharp, 6cm-long tusk sliced open his calf two years ago.
The calf problems and a long-term foot injury conspired to shut the promising prop out of rugby for nearly three years.
Nolan had worked hard to restore his fitness and made a difference to the Otago scrum when he replaced Jed Vercoe at tighthead prop in the second spell against Canterbury last Saturday.
"Jed has suffered from a strained back and it has affected his play in the last two games," assistant coach Bryce Carvell said yesterday.
Vercoe has been bracketed in the reserves with promising University prop Sam Hibbard.
Daniel Bowden, the first-choice first five-eighth at the start of the season, has recovered from injury and replaces Chris Noakes.
He will be playing against his home province and will have a detailed knowledge of the Northland players.
Carvell was full of praise for the efforts of Noakes against Southland and Canterbury.
"Daniel is a Super 14 player and was our first choice. But I have been impressed by Noakes' play. We are lucky to have two outstanding first five-eighths in Otago."
The other change is in the reserves, with South African import Eben Joubert replacing Hoani Matenga.
Joubert has been out of action since breaking a finger at the Otago trials in June.
"We have earmarked Eben for the No 7 spot," Carvell said.
"We ranked him behind Alando Soakai."
Carvell said Joubert had kept up his fitness levels since being injured.
He just lacked recent match play.
If he takes the field against Northland, it will be his debut game for Otago.
Otago was let down by its tight forwards against Canterbury and failed to get enough ball from the set pieces.
The disappointing aspect of Otago's line-out play was losing four line-outs on its own throw in the first spell.
Otago also failed to challenge the Canterbury line-out when the opposition was throwing the ball in.
"Our line-out was not quick enough to react," Carvell said.
"The players will have learnt from that."
Experienced Northland first five-eighth David Holwell is under an injury cloud and has been bracketed with Derek Carpenter for tomorrow night's game.
The teams
Carisbrook, tomorrow 7.35pm
Otago: Glen Horton, Lucky Mulipola, Brett Mather, Aaron Bancroft, Karne Hesketh, Daniel Bowden, Toby Morland, Steven Setephano, Craig Newby (captain), Seko Qaraniqio, Tom Donnelly, Ross Kennedy, Ben Nolan, Jason MacDonald, Keith Cameron.
Reserves: Peter Mirrielees, Sam Hibbard or Jed Vercoe, Paul Grant, Eben Joubert, Sean Romans, Chris Noakes, Ben Smith.
Northland: Jared Payne, Rene Ranger, Aiden Dewes, Leo Taliu, Fetu Vainikolo, David Holwell or Derek Carpenter, James Rodley, John Cocker, Joel McKenty, Justin Collins (captain), Marty Veale, Daniel Goodwin, Bronson Murray, Francis Smith, Tony Coughlan.
Reserves: Tyler Ashworth, Justin Davies, Roy Griffin, Blair Urlich, Kaino Kaino, Derek Carpenter or Mike Davis, Damien Fakafanua.
