Wallabies Taniela Tupou and Andrew Kellaway headline the Waratahs team named on Thursday to face the British and Irish Lions, but the Super Rugby side will be missing a host of star names.
Dan McKellar's team's chances of an upset in Sydney on Saturday appear slim as the Lions start to gel.
The touring side have racked up 16 tries and 109 points across their opening two tour wins against the Western Force and Reds.
While wing Kellaway and prop Tupou have been released from Australia's training camp for the match, the Waratahs are without several key players who remain with the Wallabies ahead of a test on Sunday against Fiji.
Our 23 to take on the British & Irish Lions this Saturday Night 🦁#wearetahs pic.twitter.com/q1J9hAA1Uq
— NSW Waratahs (@NSWWaratahs) July 3, 2025
They include dynamic wing Joseph Suallii, scrumhalf Jake Gordon, prop Angus Bell and hooker David Porecki.
Long-serving back-row forward Hugh Sinclair will captain the side in what will be the last game of his professional career.
One-test Wallaby wing Darby Lancaster is included, while former Australia lock Matt Philip will make his Waratahs debut from the bench after returning from a stint in Japan.
Waratahs (15-1):
Lawson Creighton; Andrew Kellaway, Lalakai Foketi, Joey Walton, Darby Lancaster; Jack Bowen, Teddy Wilson; Hugh Sinclair (capt), Charlie Gamble, Rob Leota; Miles Amatosero, Fergus Lee-Warner; Taniela Tupou, Ethan Dobbins, Tom Lambert
Replacements: Mahe Vailanu, Jack Barrett, Daniel Botha, Matt Philip, Jamie Adamson, Jack Grant, Tane Edmed, Henry O'Donnell
