After missing selection in the Waratahs Academy sides in recent years, beefed-up backrower Henri Dempsey has been named to start in the No.7 jersey for the Waratahs U16s against the Melbourne Rebels this weekend on the back of a breakout season at Riverview.

“I didn’t get picked in the U14s teams. Then last year they picked four U15s teams to play trial games and I was in that, but didn’t make the eventual squad,” Dempsey told Rugby News.

“I’ve always thought you should play rugby because you love it, not to get picked in teams so I used that and stayed patient and it’s good to get a chance this time around.”

Dempsey played off the bench in the second XV at Riverview last year while he was in year 10 then bulked up over summer and was one of a number of standout open side flankers across the GPS competition this year.

"I got a taste of it in year 10 but it’s a big step up playing firsts. It’s so much faster and more physical and the breakdown is a lot tougher.

"We didn’t have our best season at Riverview but we learnt a lot this year and quite a few boys will be back again next year.”

Dempsey will start in the backrow alongside Riverview teammate Issac Perkins and Scots and Easts flanker Aston Weir against the Rebels on Saturday with Blacktown boy Samuel Polley set to make an impact from the bench.