Rugby: Guildford to make Waratahs debut

Zac Guildford will return to Super Rugby with the Waratahs this season. Photo / Getty

Former All Blacks winger Zac Guildford has been given a chance to impress from fullback in his first match for the NSW Waratahs among a raw squad in their first Super Rugby trial match.

Returning from shoulder surgery, giant lock Will Skelton is the only Wallabies World Cup player included by new coach Daryl Gibson for the clash with the Brumbies at Wagga Wagga on Saturday.

Former NRL winger Reece Robinson makes his first Waratahs start on the right wing outside seasoned centre Matt Carraro.

But there are a few other recognisable names, with the likes of World Cup stars Israel Folau, Kurtley Beale, Bernard Foley, Nick Phipps and captain Michael Hooper all missing the match.

In their absence, a quartet of local uncapped players make up the rest of the backs, with Andrew Deegan at playmaker outside halfback Jake Gordon and with Andrew Kellaway on the left wing and David Horwitz at inside centre.

Gibson's 26-man match squad includes 11 uncapped Super Rugby players.

Skelton is joined in the starting forward pack by experienced Waratahs Paddy Ryan, Jeremy Tilse and Dave Dennis, who will captain the side.

NSW Waratahs squad:

Zac Guildford, Reece Robinson, Matt Carraro, David Horwitz, Andrew Kellaway, Andrew Deegan, Jake Gordon, Jed Holloway, Jack Dempsey, David Dennis (capt), Will Skelton, Ned Hanigan, Paddy Ryan, Hugh Roach, Jeremy Tilse. Res: Tolu Latu, Benn Robinson, Angus Taavao, Matt Sandell, Senio Toleafoa, Matt Lucas, Harry Jones, Bryce Hegarty, Brad Wilkin, Cameron Orr, Rowan Perry.

-AAP