The Waratahs have named an unchanged starting lineup, but made four changes to the bench ahead of their showdown with the Rebels in Sydney on Friday.

Despite the Waratahs’ agonising 24-23 defeat by the Brumbies last week, coach Rob Penney has kept the faith in the same starting XV.

Penney has made a host of changes to the bench, with Jake Gordon returning from a hamstring injury to headline the inclusions.

Rookie hooker Joe Cotton comes into the match-day 23 as well, along with Chris Talakai and Jed Holloway.

Waratahs – 15 Jack Maddocks, 14 James Ramm, 13 Joey Walton, 12 Karmichael Hunt, 11 Alex Newsome, 10 Will Harrison, 9 Mitch Short, 8 Jack Dempsey, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Lachlan Swinton, 5 Rob Simmons (c), 4 Ned Hanigan, 3 Harry Johnson-Holmes, 2 Tom Horton, 1 Tom Robertson.
Subs: 16 Joe Cotton, 17 Tetera Faulkner, 18 Chris Talakai, 19 Tom Staniforth, 20 Jed Holloway, 21 Jake Gordon, 22 Mark Nawaqanitawase, 23 Ben Dondaldson.

Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images