Waratahs make four changes for Brumbies
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Waratahs head coach Rob Penney has made four changes to his starting XV, with injuries and suspension disrupting the team after their loss to the Reds.
In a major boost for the forward pack, Wallaby enforcer Lachie Swinton returns from his red card suspension suffered against the All Blacks.
Swinton joins Wallaby teammate Jack Dempsey and the impressive Carlo Tizzano, who made a match high 25 tackles against the Reds, in the backrow.
The tight five remains the same as last week with Tom Horton joined by Wallabies Angus Bell and Harry Johnson-Holmes in the front row, while Sam Caird locks the scrum with Jack Whetton.
Jack Grant makes his NSW Waratahs starting debut, in place of injured skipper Jake Gordon, partnering Will Harrison in the halves.
A fit again Tepai Moeroa returns straight into the starting side at inside centre replacing the injured Joey Walton, while newly named captain Alex Newsome moves in from the wing to play outside centre.
Mark Nawaqanitawase who came off the bench against the Reds, joins Jack Maddocks and James Ramm in the back-three.
It will be a special game for Henry Robertson and Triston Reilly who are both set to make their NSW Waratahs debuts off the bench.
Waratahs: 15 Jack Maddocks, 14 Mark Nawaqanitawase, 13 Alex Newsome (captain), 12 Tepai Moeroa, 11 James Ramm, 10 Will Harrison, 9 Jack Grant, 8 Jack Dempsey, 7 Carlo Tizzano, 6 Lachlan Swinton, 5 Jack Whetton, 4 Sam Caird, 3 Harry Johnson-Holmes, 2 Tom Horton, 1 Angus Bell.
Replacements: 16 David Porecki, 17 Te Tera Faulkner, 18 Sio Tatola, 19 Jeremy Williams, 20 Hugh Sinclair, 21 Henry Robertson, 22 Tane Edmed, 23 Triston Reilly
Date: Saturday, February 27
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
Kick-off: 19.45 (08.45 GMT)
Referee: Nic Berry
Assistant referees: Amy Perrett & Reuben Keane
TMO: James Leckie
