Guildford gets first shot at redemption
Guildford, who signed with the Waratahs in September last year, is looking to rebuild his career, which has been blighted by alcohol problems over the years.
Guildford is part of coach Daryl Gibson's 26-man touring party, which features 11 uncapped Super Rugby players.
In what will be the first taste of the Waratahs’ exciting backline prospects in 2016, All Black Guildford will step into fullback, with ex-National Rugby League star, Reece Robinson slotting into the right wing and reliable performer, Matt Carraro at outside centre.
A quartet of local uncapped talent make up the rest of the backs. Andrew Deegan will try his hand orchestrating at flyhalf with fellow NSW born teammates, Jake Gordon at scrumhalf, Andrew Kellaway on the left wing and David Horwitz at inside centre.
Powerful lock Will Skelton returns for his first game following injury, joining experienced Waratahs' leaders, Paddy Ryan, Jeremy Tilse and Dave Dennis, who will Captain the side this weekend.
A number of young forwards have also been handed the chance to show their abilities against the Waratahs' Aussie rivals.
Hugh Roach completes the front row, while hard-hitting flank, Jack Dempsey, and No.8 Jed Holloway will complement the uncapped Ned Hanigan.
Recent signings, Bryce Hegarty and Matt Lucas join a reserves bench equally filled with potential, and featuring the Waratahs' most experienced player, Benn Robinson, Tolu Latu and 2015 signing from the Blues, Angus Ta'avao.
Gibson said this weekend's first trial will be a great opportunity for the younger players to advance their skills ahead of the 2016 season.
"This will be the first chance for the players selected to compete for spots this year so it will be good to see how they step up and handle a real-game situation," Gibson said.
"I'm interested to see how the combinations work too.
"The squad has trained really hard across pre-season so we're looking forward to playing our first game in earnest."
Waratahs: 15 Zac Guildford, 14 Reece Robinson, 13 Matt Carraro, 12 David Horwitz, 11 Andrew Kellaway, 10 Andrew Deegan, 9 Jake Gordon, 8 Jed Holloway, 7 Jack Dempsey, 6 David Dennis (captain), 5 Will Skelton, 4 Ned Hanigan, 3 Paddy Ryan, 2 Hugh Roach, 1 Jeremy Tilse.
Replacemets – from: Tolu Latu, Benn Robinson, Angus Ta'avao, Matt Sandell, Senio Toleafoa, Matt Lucas, Harry Jones, Bryce Hegarty, Brad Wilkin, Cameron Orr, Rowan Perry.
Date: Saturday, February 6
Venue: McDonald's Park, Wagga Wagga
Kick-off: 19.00 (08.00 GMT)
Referee: Will Houston/Nic Berry
Assistant referees: Angus Gardner, Will Houston/Nic Berry
