Reds v Waratahs: Teams

Australia lock James Horwill has been named in the Reds back row for the season opener against the Waratahs.

Reds skipper Horwill will start on the blindside after impressing coach Ewen McKenzie in his unaccustomed position during pre-season.

"The Force game was Horwill's first game for a while but in true leadership fashion he didn't baulk and he got out there," said Horwill.

"It doesn't mean it was a comfortable day in the office, it was a tough game, but I was pretty happy with his contribution."

McKenzie has moved Digby Ioane back to the wing for the clash, so former Waratah Morgan Turinui will partner Anthony Faingaa in the centres.

The speedy Rod Davies will start on the other wing, with Wallabies Will Genia and Quade Cooper named at half-back.

In the pack, Ben Daley has got the not ahead of former Wallaby prop Greg Holmes to partner Laurie Weeks and Sean Hardman in the front row.

Fantastic

Van Humphries and Adam Byrnes will team up in the second row, with Daniel Braid and Scott Higginbotham joining Horwill in the back row.

There is a strong Wallaby look about the Waratahs line-up for the clash in Brisbane.

Former Reds Berrick Barnes and Drew Mitchell will lead the Australian internationals in the starting XV, which also includes New Zealanders Sosene Anesi and Cam Jowitt.

And head coach Chris Hickey is pleased with the strength-in-depth he has available.

"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," said Hickey.

"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."

Reds:15 Peter Hynes, 14 Digby Ioane, 13 Morgan Turinui, 12 Anthony Faingaa, 11 Rod Davies, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Scott Higginbotham, 7 Daniel Braid, 6 James Horwill, 5 Van Humphries, 4 Adam Byrnes, 3 Laurie Weeks, 2 Sean Hardman, 1 Ben Daley.
Replacements:16 Saia Faingaa, 17 James Slipper, 18 Ezra Taylor, 19 Andrew Shaw, 20 Richard Kingi, 21 Tim Walsh, 22 Will Chambers.

Waratahs: 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 (capt), 6 Dean Mumm, 5 Cam Jowitt, 4 Will Caldwell, 3 Al Baxter, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Benn Robinson.
Replacements: 16 Damien Fitzpatrick, 17 Sekope Kepu, 18 Kane Douglas, 19 Ben Mowen, 20 Josh Holmes, 21 Daniel Halangahu, 22 Rory Sidey.