Israel Folau will miss the Waratahs' derby match against the Reds in Brisbane this Saturday with a thigh injury.

The imposing fullback has been in scintillating form so far this season, grabbing 12 tries for the table-topping Tahs. He's been suffering with a corked thigh this week and will not be risked after the Waratahs have already secured top spot on the log. The rest of the backline remains unchanged.

In the only other change to the starting XV, Will Skelton comes into the side at the expense of Jacques Potgieter.

Meanwhile, the Reds have also made two changes to their starting line-up, with Greg Holmes replacing Ben Daley in the front row, while scrumhalf Scott Gale will start his first match for the Reds.

Reds – 15 Mike Harris, 14 Rod Davies, 13 Samu Kerevi, 12 Ben Tapuai, 11 Lachie Turner, 10 Ben Lucas, 9 Scott Gale, 8 Jake Schatz, 7 Beau Robinson, 6 Curtis Browning, 5 James Horwill (c), 4 Rob Simmons, 3 Greg Holmes, 2 James Hanson, 1 James Slipper.
Subs: 16 Saia Fainga'a, 17 Ben Daley, 18 Albert Anae, 19 Dave McDuling, 20 Liam Gill, 21 Sam Johnson, 22 Jamie-Jerry Taulagi, 23 Chris Kuridrani.

Waratahs – 15 Cam Crawford, 14 Alofa Alofa, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Kurtley Beale, 11 Rob Horne, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Michael Hooper (c), 6 Stephen Hoiles , 5 Kane Douglas, 4 Will Skelton, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Benn Robinson.
Subs (one to be omitted): 16 Tolu Latu, 17 Jeremy Tilse, 18 Michael Ala'alatoa, 19 Jacques Potgieter, 20 Mitchell Chapman, 21 Pat McCutcheon , 22 Brendan McKibbin, 23 Jono Lance, 24 Taqele Naiyaravoro.

Photo: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images