Wallaby flanker David Pocock will make his long-awaited return to action this weekend after being named in the  Brumbies team to take on old foes the Waratahs at GIO Stadium on Saturday evening.

In so doing, the superstar forward will play his 100th match of Super Rugby, having racked up 69 appearances for the Force before heading to the Capital to sign for the Brumbies in 2013.

The addition of Pocock to the starting XV is the only change from the team that defeated the Sharks in Round 5 meaning that the backrow will see the 65-times capped international lining up alongside Lachlan McCaffrey and Isi Naisarani.

Amongst the replacements, McKellar has been forced into making several changes due to injury and unavailability with the result the prospect of prop forward Mees Erasmus making his Super Rugby debut.

The former Force front-rower has looked sharp in training and performed admirably in the pre-season trial matches against both the Rebels in Queanbeyan and the Chiefs on the Sunshine Coast as well as being part of the squad that participated at the Brisbane Global Rugby Tens.

Erasmus is joined by the returning Robbie Abel and fellow prop Faalelei Sione, whilst Richie Arnold and Tom Cusack provide cover in the lock department and back-row respectively.

There also appears to be plenty in reserve amongst the backs with Matt Lucas, Kyle Godwin and Tom Banks ready to step off the bench and make their mark in a match that is traditionally one of the highlights of the season.

Scott SIO

Folau FAINGA’A

Allan ALAALATOA

Rory ARNOLD

Blake ENEVER

Lachlan MCCAFFREY

David POCOCK

Isi NAISARANI

Joe POWELL

Wharenui HAWERA

Lausii TALIAULI

Christian LEALIIFANO

Tevita KURIDRANI

Henry SPEIGHT

Andy MUIRHEAD

REPLACEMENTS

Robbie ABEL

Faalelei SIONE

Mees ERASMUS

Richie ARNOLD

Tom CUSACK

Matt LUCAS

Kyle GODWIN

Tom BANKS