Young Wallabies flanker Michael Hooper has been promoted to captain the NSW Waratahs in their Super Rugby showdown with the Queensland Reds after injury forced Dave Dennis out.

Initially expected to be fit for Saturday’s big clash at ANZ Stadium, Dennis was ruled out on Thursday after failing to recover sufficiently from a knee injury sustained in Sunday’s bonus-point win over the Western Force.

Dennis is replaced at blindside flanker by Stephen Hoiles, with Pat McCutcheon joining the bench.

It caps a comeback by former Wallaby Hoiles who was invited to train with the squad in the pre-season after overcoming serious Achilles tendon injury problems.