Prize recruit Berrick Barnes and Drew Mitchell are among six new faces named in a full-strength Waratahs squad for Saturday's Super 14 season opener against the Reds at Suncorp Stadium.
Barnes, who can expect a cool reception from Reds fans in his first appearance against his former club, has been handed the flyhalf duties while Mitchell has overcome a hamstring complaint and will start on the wing.
Former All Black and Chiefs utility Sosene Anesi gets first crack at fullback while countryman Cam Jowitt will make his Super debut at starting lock after impressing in the trials.
Uncapped lock Kane Douglas and utility back Rory Sidey are also in line to debut for the Waratahs having been named on the bench.
Hooker Adam Freier (back) and centre Rob Horne (hamstring) are the only players from the extended squad unavailable through injury, leaving coach Chris Hickey a welcome headache at the selection table.
"There were a number of positions which were up for grabs during the trial period and it was fantastic to see a number of players put their hand up with solid performances," Hickey said.
"There is certainly a strong nucleus of players from 2009, and our off-season recruitment to strengthen some areas is evident in the 22-man squad."
"It's usually not too hard to get the players up for the first round of the competition but when it's a match with 128 years of Australian rugby history and the Templeton Cup on the line you know the entire squad is going to be ready on Saturday night."
Mitchell and Anesi join Lachie Turner in an exciting back three, while Kurtley Beale and Tom Carter form a new centre pairing outside Barnes.
Scrumhalf Luke Burgess edged out new recruit Josh Holmes for the No.9 jersey, while Wycliff Palu, Dean Mumm and captain Phil Waugh form an all-Wallabies back row.
Will Caldwell returns from illness and injury in a second-row combination with former Leinster lock Jowitt, while Al Baxter, Tatafu Polota-Nau and Benn Robinson form a formidable front row.
Waratahs squad:
15. Sosene Anesi, 14. Lachie Turner, 13. Tom Carter, 12. Kurtley Beale, 11. Drew Mitchell, 10. Berrick Barnes, 9. Luke Burgess, 8. Wycliff Palu, 7. Phil Waugh (c), 6. Dean Mumm, 5. Cam Jowitt, 4. Will Caldwell, 3. Al Baxter, 2. Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1. Benn Robinson
Reserves: 16. Damien Fitzpatrick, 17. Sekope Kepu, 18. Kane Douglas, 19. Ben Mowen, 20. Josh Holmes, 21. Daniel Halangahu, 22. Rory Sidey