Waratahs v Force: Teams

Cameron Shepherd will return from injury to start in Western Force's Super 14 clash with the Waratahs.

Head coach Jon Mitchell will play the goal-kicker on the left-wing after a three-week absence with injury.

The 24-year-old back has managed just four appearances for the Western Force this season due to repeated setbacks in his comeback from extensive ankle surgery last June.

His return is timely as Nick Cummins has been sidelined for up to a month after suffering a hairline fracture in his left leg during last week's one-point loss to the Hurricanes.

In the only other change to Mitchell's back division, James O'Connor returns to inside centre, replacing the injured Junior Pelesasa.

Mitchell has also opted for a switch in the pack, with Australia U20 lock Sam Wykes moving in to replace Tom Hockings.

Wykes has made two appearances as a replacement this season but will make his first start following a long rehabilitation from off-season shoulder surgery on Saturday.

Wary

RugbyWA Academy hooker Ben Whittaker is named as a replacement and the 19-year-old will make his Super 14 debut if brought on.

Ben Castle will celebrate his 50th Super 14 match against the Waratahs. The tighthead prop played 42 matches for the Chiefs before joining the Emirates Western Force during the 2009 pre-season.

Mitchell is wary of a Waratahs side looking to return to winning ways after their defeat to the Bulls last time out.

He said: "The Waratahs have a particularly proud home record and they will certainly be keen to put last week's performance behind them very quickly. We know were in for a contest that's for sure.

"They have been the best of the Australian provinces for the past couple of seasons and one of their hallmarks is their consistency. It's something we aspire to."

Record

Waratahs forward Will Caldwell will become New South Wales' most capped lock on Saturday as he plays his 64th match for the state.

Waratah's coach Chris Hickey hailed the second-row's improvement and leadership skills ahead of the clash.

"Will's progression is a testament to hard work, commitment and a thirst to improve his game over a long period of time," Hickey said.

"With Dan Vickerman moving on, Will was given a real opportunity to become a leader in the pack this year and he's certainly done that.

"He's probably been one of our most improved and most consistent players this year and becoming the most capped second rower ever for the 'Tahs is something I know he'll be quietly proud of."

Hickey has made two changes to the starting line-up for this weekend's clash, with Timana Tahu to start at outside centre in place of the injured Rob Horne while Brett Sheehan has been named at scrum-half in place of Luke Burgess.

The match also marks the 50th Super Rugby appearance for hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau, a week after earning his 50th state cap against the Bulls.

NSW Waratahs: 15 Sam Norton-Knight, 14 Lachie Turner, 13 Timana Tahu, 12 Tom Carter, 11 Lote Tuqiri, 10 Daniel Halangahu, 9 Brett Sheehan, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Phil Waugh (c), 6 Ben Mowen, 5 Will Caldwell, 4 Dean Mumm, 3 Dan Palmer, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Benn Robinson.
Replacements: 16 Damien Fitzpatrick, 17 Sekope Kepu, 18 Chris Thomson, 19 Luke Doherty, 20 Luke Burgess, 21 Kurtley Beale, 22 Peter Playford.

Western Force: 15 Drew Mitchell, 14 Scott Staniforth, 13 Ryan Cross, 12 James O'Connor, 11 Cameron Shepherd, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Josh Valentine, 8 Richard Brown, 7 David Pocock, 6 Matt Hodgson, 5 Nathan Sharpe (c), 4 Sam Wykes, 3 Ben Castle, 2 Tai McIsaac, 1 Pek Cowan.
Replacements: 16 Ben Whittaker, 17 AJ Whalley, 18 Tom Hockings, 19 Tamaiti Horua,20 Chris O'Young, 21 Josh Tatupu, 22 Haig Sare.