The Waratahs are giving Bernard Foley until the last minute to prove his fitness for this weekend's Australian derby with the Brumbies.
Foley has been named in the Waratahs' starting XV for the match but is still in danger of missing out with concussion.
The flyhalf trained fully with the team on Thursday but coach Daryl Gibson said he would be monitored overnight for any symptoms, with a final call to be made on Friday based on doctor's advice.
Gibson said he was optimistic about Foley's inclusion, but if he is ruled out on Friday, Bryce Hegarty would retain the starting spot.
Gibson has stuck with the same backline, with the exception of Foley, for this weekend despite flagging a positional review after the 37-14 loss to the Sharks.
"I wanted to give the backline that opportunity to prove itself again," he said.
"With the reintroduction of Foley that may change things a little, get those combinations clicking. It just hasn't clicked yet for that combination, we'll see how it goes," he said.
While Foley is still under a cloud, two concrete inclusions are that of Jed Holloway and Will Skelton ,from hamstring injuries, along with Ned Hanigan (knee).
Skelton didn’t complete the whole session on Thursday but Gibson said his early exit was simply ‘load managing’.
The Brumbies have made three changes for the clash, with Scott Fardy headlining their inclusions.
Fardy was rested for the Brumbies game against the Force but resumes his place at blindside flanker, with Ben Hyne shifting to the bench and Tom Staniforth dropping out of the matchday 23.
Lolo Fakaosilea will have his first Brumbies start at Canberra Stadium, replacing in-form flanker Chris Alcock (concussion).
Nigel Ah Wong will start on the wing in place of James Dargaville.
The Waratahs take on the Brumbies on Saturday night, kicking off at 7:45pm AEDT, LIVE on FOX SPORTS and via radio on RUGBY.com.au.
TEAMS
Waratahs team to face the Brumbies
IN: Will Skelton, Jed Holloway, Ned Hanigan, Jake Gordon
OUT: Senio Toleafoa, Matt Lucas, Maclean Jones, Cam Clark
1. Tom Robertson
2. Tolu Latu
3. Sekope Kepu
4. Dean Mumm
5. Will Skelton
6. Jack Dempsey
7. Michael Hooper (C)
8. Jed Holloway
9. Nick Phipps
10. Bernard Foley/Bryce Hegarty
11. Rob Horne
12. Irae Simone
13. Israel Folau
14. Reece Robinson
15. Andrew Kellaway
Reserves
16. Hugh Roach
17. Paddy Ryan
18. David Lolohea
19. David McDuling
20. Ned Hanigan
21. Michael Wells
22. Jake Gordon
23. Bryce Hegarty/David Horwitz
Brumbies team to face the Waratahs
IN: Scott Fardy, Nigel Ah Wong, Jordan Jackson-Hope
OUT: Tom Staniforth, James Dargaville, Chris Alcock
1. Ben Alexander
2. Josh Mann-Rea
3. Allan Alaalatoa
4. Rory Arnold
5. Sam Carter
6. Scott Fardy
7. Lolo Fakaosilea
8. Jordan Smiler
9. Joe Powell
10. Wharenui Hawera
11. Nigel Ah Wong
12. Kyle Godwin
13. Tevita Kuridrani
14. Henry Speight
15. Aidan Toua
Reserves
16. Robbie Abel
17. Nic Mayhew
18. Leslie Leulua’iali’i-Makin
19. Blake Enever
20. Ben Hyne
21. De Wet Roos
22. Jordan Jackson-Hope
23. Andrew Smith
