Reds v Waratahs: Teams
The Reds will be without Rod Davies and James Slipper for the Super Rugby clash with the Waratahs.
By Tony Curtis - Twitter: @SkySportsTC
Last Updated: 22/04/11 8:11am
The Reds will be without Rod Davies and James Slipper for the Super Rugby clash with the Waratahs.
Guy Shepherdson will replace Slipper, who has damaged his collarbone, while Ben Lucas comes in for Davies.
Lucas will start the match at full-back, with Luke Morahan switching to the wing and Dom Shipperley poised to make his debut off the bench.
"We have the luxury of two quality options to replace James Slipper in both Guy Shepherdson and Greg Holmes but Guy is a specialist at the tighthead position so we believe he has earned an opportunity to start," said coach Ewen McKenzie.
"Being able to bring in someone who has played 71 Super Rugby games and 18 Tests just highlights some of the depth we have created for this season and I have every confidence he will stand up to the task.
"Losing Rod is disappointing but Ben excelled in his opportunities at full-back prior to his injury almost a month ago and Luke is just as comfortable on the wing as he is in the number 15 jersey."
The Waratahs have recalled captain Phil Waugh, Wycliff Palu and Tom Carter for the trip to the Suncorp Stadium.
Sitaleki Timani also comes into the starting XV with Daniel Halangahu, Kane Douglas, Dave Dennis and Pat McCutcheon all dropping to the bench.
Reds: 15 Ben Lucas, 14 Luke Morahan, 13 Anthony Faingaa, 12 Mike Harris, 11 Digby Ioane, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Scott Higginbotham, 7 Beau Robinson, 6 Radike Samo, 5 James Horwill (c), 4 Rob Simmons, 3 Guy Shepherdson, 2 Saia Faingaa, 1 Ben Daley.
Replacements: 16 James Hanson, 17 Greg Holmes, 18 Adam Wallace-Harrison, 19 Liam Gill, 20 Leroy Houston, 21 Dom Shipperley, 22 Will Chambers.
Waratahs: 15 Lachie Turner, 14 Tom Kingston, 13 Ryan Cross, 12 Tom Carter, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Kurtley Beale, 9 Luke Burgess, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Phil Waugh (c), 6 Ben Mowen, 5 Sitaleki Timani, 4 Dean Mumm, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Benn Robinson.
Replacements: 16 John Ulugia, 17 Al Baxter, 18 Kane Douglas, 19 Dave Dennis, 20 Pat McCutcheon, 21 Brendan McKibbin, 22 Daniel Halangahu.
