Fullback Israel Folau is back in the Waratahs team for their Super Rugby clash against the Bulls in Sydney on Saturday.
Folau was sensationally withdrawn from the Waratahs’ team on the eve of their match with the Western Force in Perth last Saturday because the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) was concerned about his throat injury.
Sport24
But the ARU has this week cleared Folau to play and he was included in the team named by coach Michael Cheika on Wednesday.
The rest of the ‘Tahs backline remains unchanged, with Rob Horne and Cam Crawford holding their places on the wings, and Kurtley Beale and Adam Ashley-Cooper continuing their partnership in midfield.
Nick Phipps and Bernard Foley line up alongside each other at scrumhalf and flyhalf for the eighth game in a row.
Cheika has also stuck with the all-Wallaby starting front row of Benn Robinson, Tatafu Polota-Nau and Sekope Kepu.
Springbok Jacques Potgieter will start at blindside flank against his former team and is joined in the loose-trio by regular starters Michael Hooper and captain Dave Dennis, while the fit-again Wycliff Palu takes a spot on the bench.
Kick-off for Saturday’s match is scheduled for 11:40 SA Time.
Waratahs: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Cam Crawford, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Kurtley Beale, 11 Rob Horne, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Dave Dennis (Captain), 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Jacques Potgieter, 5 Kane Douglas, 4 Will Skelton, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Tatafu Polota Nau, 1 Benn Robinson
Replacements: 16 Tolu Latu, 17 Jeremy Tilse, 18 Paddy Ryan, 19 Pat McCutcheon, 20 Wycliff Palu, 21 Brendan McKibbin, 22 Jono Lance, 23 Matt Carraro.