Israel Folau will make his first appearance at outside centre and Kurtley Beale returns in a new-look NSW Waratahs team to face the Brumbies in Saturday’s Super Rugby blockbuster in Sydney.

Coach Daryl Gibson has made numerous changes to his starting line-up in a bid to keep the Waratahs’ flagging finals hopes alive.

Beale, returning from an elbow injury, will partner Folau in an exciting centre pairing at Allianz Stadium.

Andrew Kellaway has earned his first start at fullback to accommodate Folau’s move, while Matt Carraro and Reece Robinson are the wingers with former All Black Zac Guildford being ruled out with a broken foot.

Gibson has also shaken up the forward pack in the wake of the Waratahs’ disappointing last-start loss to the Melbourne Rebels.

Club captain Dave Dennis and prop Paddy Ryan have been dumped to the bench, with Wallabies lock Will Skelton injected into the starting XV to partner Dean Mumm in the second row.

Young prop Tom Robertson has also been rewarded with the opportunity to make his starting debut in the front row following impressive performances off the bench in recent weeks.

Waratahs: Andrew Kellaway, Reece Robinson, Israel Folau, Kurtley Beale, Matt Carraro, Bernard Foley, Jed Holloway, Michael Hooper (capt), Jack Dempsey, Will Skelton, Dean Mumm, Tom Robertson, Hugh Roach, Benn Robinson. Res: James Hilterbrand, Paddy Ryan, Angus Taavao, Sam Lousi, Wycliff Palu, David Dennis, Matt Lucas, David Horwitz.