Waratahs v Lions: Teams

Horne: On the bench

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Waratahs coach Chris Hickey has resisted the temptation to tweak his line-up for the visit of the Lions on Friday.

Having toppled the Sharks 25-21 last time out, Hickey has opted to stick with the same starting XV at the Sydney Football Stadium.

That means Tom Carter retains his place in the centres despite speculation that Rob Horne would come into the side.

And Hickey is ready to match his side's attacking prowess against the free-scoring Lions.

"We copped a scare against the Lions at Ellis Park last year and they certainly showed against the Chiefs in round two that they have a lot of points in them," said Hickey.

"That said, we're going into this match confident of a strong attacking performance and we're hoping to give the crowd at the SFS a great showing on Friday night."

Comeback

Emerging Springbok Jano Vermaak has gone straight into the Lions squad to face the Waratahs despite having just arrived in Sydney.

The talented scrum-half only made his comeback from injury on Saturday in the Vodacom Cup match against the Valke.

However he was immediately called up to the Super 14 squad, alongside wing Wigan Pekeur, after Deon van Rensburg and Dusty Noble were ruled out the rest of the tour.

Pekeur has also been included on the bench, however Carlos Spencer has been passed fit to start after recovering from a pectoral muscle injury.

Waratahs: 15 Sosene Anesi, 14 Lachie Turner, 13 Tom Carter, 12 Berrick Barnes, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Daniel Halangahu, 9 Luke Burgess; 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Phil Waugh (c), 6 Dave Dennis, 5 Kane Douglas, 4 Dean Mumm, 3 Al Baxter, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Benn Robinson.
Replacements: 16 Damien Fitzpatrick, 17 Sekope Kepu, 18 Will Caldwell, 19 Ben Mowen, 20 Josh Holmes, 21 Kurtley Beale, 22 Rob Horne.

Lions: 15 Earl Rose, 14 Tonderai Chavhanga, 13 Walter Venter, 12 Doppies la Grange, 11 Wandile Mjekevu, 10 Carlos Spencer, 9 JP Joubert, 8 Todd Clever, 7 Derick Minnie, 6 Cobus Grobbelaar (capt), 5 Willem Stoltz, 4 Franco van der Merwe, 3 Kevin Buys, 2 Hannes Franklin, 1 Heinke van der Merwe.
Replacements: 16 Charles Emslie, 17 JC Janse van Rensburg, 18 Jacques Lombaard, 19 Robert Kruger, 20 Jano Vermaak, 21 Burton Francis, 22 Wigan Pekeur.