The NSW Waratahs have included nine players from last year’s U19s Grand Final winning side in their first Super Rugby Next Gen squad of 2026 against the Western Force at Eric Tweedale Stadium (1.30pm kick-off).

They include try scorers from that day Louis Fenwicke at full back and Zach Fittler at inside centre. In fact, only two players in the squad are over the age of 20.

NSW Waratahs Head of Pathways Andrew Cleverley is hoping for a big performance from the club in the competition, after months of dedicated preparation.

“Players and staff are looking forward to the challenge of the upcoming Next Gen fixtures,” Cleverley said.

“Players have been working extremely hard since the beginning of November, which has led to fantastic gains in the gym and on-field performance measures.  

“Now it is time to show that on the field.”

The Waratahs side also includes lock Isaac Fonua and outside centre Leo Jaques, who both featured for our Waratahs senior team’s 49-19 win against the Reds in Brisbane last weekend, with Jaques a full member of our Swftyx Super Rugby Pacific squad.

Scrum-half Angus Grover and replacement hooker Oniti Finau have also been training with the main squad ahead of the start of the season, as did captain Marshall le Maitre and number eight Toby Brial before Christmas.

The new, three-week Super Rugby Next Gen competition will feed into the Australia U20s program, held in February, and will replace the Super Rugby U19s in 2026.

It has been strategically placed to align with the Rugby Championship U20s in April, with the World Rugby U20s to be held in July in Georgia. While the competition is focused on the U20s group, clubs will be permitted to field players over the age of 20 in 2026.

 NSW Waratahs v Western Force

Super Rugby Next Gen, Round 1, Saturday 7 February, 1.30pm kick-off AEDT

Eric Tweedale Stadium, 2 Montrose Ave, Merrylands, NSW 2160

Starting XV:

Nick HillDylan SimmonsEdwin LangiAron BrennanIsaac FonuaLuca CleverleyMarshall Le Maitre ©Toby BrialAngus GroverHarrison DeneTom Farr-JonesZach FittlerLeo JaquesRory O’ConnorLouis Fenwicke

Replacements:

16. Oniti Finau

17.  Lotu Vunipola

18. Harper Strachan

19. Cooper Green

20. Justice Taumoepeau

21. Sam. Blank

22. James Archer

23. Tom O’Hara