Waratahs tweak backline for Brumbies clash

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Waratahs head coach Daryl Gibson has named his team to take on the Brumbies in Canberra on Friday.

There is just one change to the starting XV with Alex Newsome joining Israel Folau and Kurtley Beale in the back three. Curtis Rona has been left out of the matchday 23 this week.

Wallaby scrumhalf Nick Phipps has named on the bench along with the returning Cameron Clark.

The Waratahs are coming off a 28-17 win over the Reds.

They are currently second in the Australian Conference behind the Melbourne Rebels.

Waratahs: 15 Kurtley Beale, 14 Israel Folau, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Karmichael Hunt, 11 Alex Newsome, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Jake Gordon, 8 Jack Dempsey, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Ned Hanigan, 5 Rob Simmons, 4 Jed Holloway, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Damien Fitzpatrick, 1 Harry Johnson-Holmes.

Replacements: 16 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17 Rory O’Connor, 18 Chris Talakai, 19 Ryan Mccauley, 20 Lachlan Swinton, 21 Nick Phipps, 22 Mack Mason, 23 Cameron Clark.

Date: Friday, March 15

Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra

Kick-off: 19.45 (08.45 GMT)

Referee: Glen Jackson (New Zealand)

Assistant referees: Graham Cooper (Australia), Amy Perrett (Australia)

TMO: James Leckie (Australia)