The Waratahs, Rebels and Reds Super Rugby seasons are over, with the Brumbies set to host a semi final against the Sharks on Saturday night. 

Following a shake up to the global rugby calendar that saw the June Internationals break removed, the Super Rugby season ends significantly earlier that it has in past years. 

So who will this benefit most in the run towards and during the Shute Shield finals? 

While some Super Rugby players will join an extended Wallabies squad to prepare for the World Cup and others will be given a bit of time off, a number will likely return to their clubs and could play as many as six regular season games before the finals.

Even those in and around the Wallabies squad may spend time at their clubs to retain match fitness in the months ahead.

Adding to that, a handful of Australian U20s stars will also return to Sydney in the weeks ahead and could add confidence from their successful Junior World Cup campaign to their respective clubs. 

Players that are likely to return to Shute Shield clubs in 2019: 

Eastern Suburbs – Lalakai Foketi, Mack Mason, Ryan McCauley, Alex Newsome, Tom Staniforth, Cody Walker, Sione Tuipulotu, Connal McInerney, Will Harris (U20s). 

Eastwood – Damien Fitzpatrick, Hugh Roach, Mark Nawaqanitawase (U20s).

Gordon – Jack Dempsey, Robbie Abel, Jordan Uelese, Karmichael Hunt, Joey Walton (U20s).

Manly – Matt Lucas, Le Roux Roets, Luke Jones. 

Randwick – Ned Hanigan, Mitch Short, Harrison Goddard, Rob Simmons, Will Harrison (U20s), Ben Donalson (U20s), Henry Hutchison (Sevens). 

Norths – Cam Clark, Will Miller, Michael Wells, Andrew Tuala, Patrick Tafa.

Southern Districts – Jed Holloway, Curtis Rona, Shambeckler Vui, Matt Gibbon. 

Sydney Uni – Jake Gordon, Tolu Latu, Tom Robertson, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Lachie Swinton, Chris Talakai, Brad Wilkin, Matt Philip, Folau Fainga’a.

Warringah – Seb Wileman, Rory O’Connor, Mees Erasmus, Boyd Killingworth (Sevens), Tom Connor (Sevens).