Experienced British & Irish Lions Centre to start for the Waratahs tonight

Jamie Roberts is set to make his NSW Waratahs debut from the bench tonight in Super Rugby Pacific against the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua.

The Wales international signed for the Australian franchise in January after moving with his family to Australia.

His partner Nicole is from Sydney.

Roberts has played 94 times for Wales, his last Test in 2017 against New Zealand and he has also made three Test appearances for the British & Irish Lions.

Izaia Perese and Lalakai Foketi who made their debuts for the Wallabies last season are starting in the midfield tonight.

Michael Hooper is unavailable due to injury.

The Fijian Drua will play the Waratahs at 8:45 tonight in Sydney.

In other Super Rugby matches, the Chiefs will take on the Highlanders at 3.35pm Saturday, the Crusaders will play the Hurricanes at 6.05pm Saturday, the Reds will face the Rebels at 8.45pm Saturday and the Brumbies meet the Western Force at 3pm Sunday.

Waratahs Team to Face Fijian Drua

1. Angus Bell (Sydney Uni/ Hunters Hill/ Newington College)

2. Davie Porecki (Manly/ Manly Roos/ Redlands)

3. Harry Johnson-Holmes (Sydney Uni/ Cowra Eagles/ Merewether High School)Jed

4. Jed Holloway (Southern Districts/ Yamba Buccaneers/ Waverly College)

5. Geoff Cridge (West Harbour/ Darfield Rugby Club/ Christchurch Boys High)

6. Lachlan Swinton (Sydney Uni/ Wahroonga Tigers/ Knox Grammar)

7. Charles Gamble (Eastern Suburbs/ Saracens/ St Bede’s College)

8. Will Harris (Eastern Suburbs/ Hunters Hill/ Scots College)

9. Jake Gordon (Sydney Uni/ Canterbury/ Blackwattle Bay)

10. Ben Donaldson (Randwick/ Clovelly Eagles/ Waverly College)

11. James Turner (Norther Suburbs/ Drummoyne/ Newington)

12. Lalakai Foketi (Manly/ Manly Roos/ Kings School)

13. Izaia Perese (Randwick/ Aspley State School/ Anglican Church Grammar)

14. Dylan Pietsch (Randwick/ Leeton Phantoms/ Kings School)

15. Alex Newsome (Eastern Suburbs/ Glen Innes Elks/ St Joseph’s College)

16. Tom Horton (Sydney Uni/ Mosman Whales/ St Joseph’s College)

17. Te Tera Faulkner (Southern Districts/ Moorabin Rams/ Marist College Canberra)

18. Tiaan Tauakipulu (Randwick/ Tenmore Bears/ St Kentigren College)

19. Hugh Sinclair (Northern Suburbs/ Lindfield/ S.H.O.R.E)

20. Carlo Tizzano (West Harbour/ UWA Rugby Club/ Trinity Grammar WA)

21. Henry Robertson (Sydney Uni/ Scone Brumbies/ Kings School)

22. Tane Edmed (Eastwood/ Trinity)

23. Jamie Roberts (CRICC/ Rumney RFC/ Ysgol Glantaf)

Players unavailable for selection:

Archer Holz - Thigh (Round 3-4)

Rahboni Warren-Vosayaco – Hip (TBC)

Will Harrison – Shoulder (Round 2)

Mosese Tuipulotu – Knee (Round 11+)

Joey Walton – ACL (Season)

Michael Hooper – Foot (TBC)