ASHLEY-COOPER RETURNS TO THE XV
Adam Ashley-Cooper will make a welcome return for the Waratahs this weekend as they take on competition leaders the Hurricanes.
The Australian international makes his first start since being sidelined by an Bakers cyst back at the beginning of March.
He replaces Matt Carraro in the starting line-up as one of three changes to the side that lost to the Stormers in Sydney last weekend.
In the only other backline change, Peter Betham replaces Taqele Naiyaravoro – who is sidelined due to complications with his visa – while in the forwards, Pat McCutcheon gets a rare start on the blindside flank in place of Jacques Potgieter, who is relegated to the replacements bench.
Two players will be ommitted from the squad on the day of the match.
Waratahs: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Peter Betham, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Kurtley Beale, 11 Rob Horne, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Pat McCutcheon, 5 Dave Dennis (c), 4 Will Skelton, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Tolu Latu, 1 Benn Robinson.
Replacements (two to be omitted): 16 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17 Jeremy Tilse, 18 Paddy Ryan, 19 Jacques Potgieter, 20 Mitchell Chapman, 21 Stephen Hoiles, 22 Brendan McKibbin, 23 Matt Carraro, 24 David Horwitz, 25 Jed Holloway
Date: Saturday, April 18
Venue: Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Kick-off: 16:30 local (14:30 AEST, 06:30 SAST, 04:30 GMT)
Referee: Glen Jackson
Assistant Referees: Shane McDermott, Jamie Nutbrown
TMO: Glenn Newman
Courtesy of SANZAR
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