NSW Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson has named a handful of his most exciting young prospects in the Waratahs starting side to play a trial against the Brumbies in Wagga this weekend.

Ned Hanigan, Jack Dempsey, Jed Holloway, Jake Gordon, Andrew Deegan, Andrew Kellaway and Dave Horwitz will all start in Saturday evenings trial, giving fans an insight into the what the future of the franchise may look like.

Following a number of high profile departures at the end of the 2015 season, Gibson will take a new look squad into the 2016 season, with former All Black Zac Guildford and NRL convert Reece Robinson also named to make their Waratahs debuts.

Powerful lock, Will Skelton returns for his first game following injury, joining experienced Waratahs’ leaders, Paddy Ryan, Jeremy Tilse and captain Dave Dennis.

Recent signings, Bryce Hegarty and Matt Lucas join a reserves bench equally filled with potential, and featuring the NSW Waratahs’ most experienced player, Benn Robinson, Tolu Latu and 2015 signing from the Auckland Blues, Angus Ta’avao.

Gibson said this weekend’s first trial will be a great opportunity for the younger players to advance their skills ahead of the 2016 season.

“This will be the first chance for the players selected to compete for spots this year so it will be good to see how they step up and handle a real-game situation,” Gibson said.

“I’m interested to see how the combinations work too.

“The squad has trained really hard across pre-season so we’re looking forward to playing our first game in earnest.”

NSW Waratahs team to play trial against Brumbies (1-26)

Jeremy Tilse, Hugh Roach, Paddy Ryan, Ned Hanigan, Will Skelton, David Dennis (C), Jack Dempsey, Jed Holloway, Jake Gordon, Andrew Deegan, Andrew Kellaway, David Horwitz, Matt Carraro, Reece Robinson, Zac Guildford. Reserves: Tolu Latu, Benn Robinson, Angus Ta’avao, Matt Sandell, Senio Toleafoa, Matt Lucas, Harry Jones, Bryce Hegarty, Brad Wilkin, Cameron Orr, Rowan Perry.