Will Skelton has returned to the Waratahs' starting XV for their clash against the Reds in Sydney on Saturday. 

Skelton missed the Waratahs tour of South Africa due to serving a two-week ban for a dangerous tackle on Crusaders lock Sam Whitelock.

In one of two changes, coach Michael Cheika has drafted Skelton straight back into the run-on side, with Mitchell Chapman dropping to the bench. Up front, hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau returns to form an all-Wallaby front row with props Sekope Kepu and Benn Robinson. Hugh Roach drops to the reserves.

Waratahs – 15 Israel Folau, 14 Taqele Naiyaravoro, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Kurtley Beale, 11 Matt Carraro, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Jacques Potgieter, 5 Dave Dennis (c), 4 Will Skelton, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Benn Robinson.
Subs: 16 Hugh Roach, 17 Jeremy Tilse, 18 Paddy Ryan, 19 Mitchell Chapman, 20 Dean Mumm, 21 Stephen Hoiles, 22 Brendan McKibbin, 23 Peter Betham.

Photo: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images