A brutally honest NSW Waratahs captain Dave Dennis would welcome back Kane Douglas, even if it meant losing his starting spot in the Super Rugby champions’ side.

With lock Douglas moving to Irish team Leinster after last season’s Super Rugby triumph and Springbok enforcer Jacques Potgieter returning to his chief role of blindside flanker, Dennis has shifted from that position to the second row.

It’s been reported the Waratahs are trying to woo Douglas back from Ireland.

NSW coach Michael Cheika wasn’t keen to discuss the issue on Friday, but Dennis would be happy to see Douglas back in Waratahs colours at some stage of their title defence.

“I understand the value he adds to the club,” Dennis said on Friday.

“I’d love to see Kane back here.

“I’m not sure where the process is at the moment. I know `Cheik’s’ been talking to him a fair bit, so hopefully we’ll see him back playing here.

“You want all the best players in Australia and I think he’s one of the best locks, so I hope he comes back.”

Having played just 40 minutes of the pre-season after coming back from a knee reconstruction, Dennis isn’t surprised Cheika has picked two other locks on the bench.

“‘Cheik’ had a chat with me about it and I’m realistic about things.” Dennis said.

“If you look at the bench that says a fair bit about what he’s expecting from myself in terms of carrying two locks in Mitch (Chapman)and Sam (Lousi).

“I’m just going to go as hard as I can and see how long I go for.”

“I’m sure if I’m not really contributing, I’ll be pulled.”

Dennis said there was some satisfaction in meeting his goal of being right for round one coming off the third knee reconstruction of his career.”

“I probably would have been disappointed if I wasn’t playing, or watching from the stands,” Dennis said.

“I’m satisfied in the work I’ve done, but i’ll probably get more satisfaction of actually contributing on Sunday and having a solid performance when I’m out there, rather than just being out there for the sake of it.”

He was bullish about the potential in Lousi, who is poised to make his senior rugby debut after playing for the New Zealand Warriors NRL side last season.

“He’s been fantastic, he’s a big strong guy, he’s about 128 kilos,” Dennis said.

“He’s definitely got the physical abilities.

“He’s learnt a lot quicker than what I thought, to be honest.

“You see it a bit with the backs coming over to union, but for a forward to come over and pick up the game as quick as he has, has been very impressive.

“I expect you’ll see him go well when he gets on, on Sunday.”