Waratahs Super rugby head coach Rob Penney has included Rob Simmons in his team to play the Brumbies on Sunday in Canberra.
Along with Penney’s inclusion Mark Nawaqanitawase is also rejoining the starting XV.
It will be the skipper’s 150th Super Rugby fixture, with Karmichael Hunt also turning out for his 50th appearance in the competition.
Kurtley Beale will also equal the NSW Waratahs Super Rugby appearance record, stepping out for his state for the 148th time in Canberra.
Damien Fitzpatrick earns his first start of the 2020 campaign, with Robbie Abel on the bench. Tom Robertson returns from injury and will join the bench alongside Pat Tafa, Michael McDonald and James Ramm.
Waratahs
15 Kurtley Beale, 14 Jack Maddocks, 13 Alex Newsome, 12 Karmichael Hunt, 11 Mark Nawaqanitawase, 10 Will Harrison, 9 Mitch Short, 8 Jack Dempsey , 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Lachlan Swinton, 5 Tom Staniforth, 4 Rob Simmons (captain), 3 Harry Johnson-Holmes, 2 Damien Fitzpatrick, 1 Angus Bell
Replacements : 16 Robbie Abel, 17 Tom Robertson, 18 Tetera Faulkner, 19 Jed Holloway, 20 Pat Tafa, 21 Michael McDonald, 22 Lalakai Foketi, 23 James Ramm