In his first year out of school, Rob Horne admits he would have been delighted with a NSW Waratahs bench spot this season let alone starting one of their biggest Super 14 games.

But that's what the 18-year-old finds himself doing after being named at outside centre for the sixth-placed Waratahs, replacing the injured Ben Jacobs for Saturday's night key clash with the fifth-placed Western Force at Subiaco Oval.

The youngster showed enough after coming off the bench when Jacobs ruptured a knee ligament in Saturday's 37-16 victory over the Blues to convince coach Ewen McKenzie he could handle the starting job.

"At the start of the year I would have been stoked with a bench spot, but to get an opportunity to start against the Force is amazing," said Horne.

"I'm really excited, but having played a few times off the bench already I now know what to expect.

"The Force have a great backline with guys like [Matt] Giteau, [Scott] Staniforth, [Cameron] Shepherd, [Drew] Mitchell, so it's going to be a really tough game for the whole 80 minutes."

Horne joined the Waratahs after playing in the Australian Schoolboys team last year.

"It's only Rob's first year out of school but he's come on in leaps and bounds since joining us and keeps meeting every challenge that's put in front of him," said McKenzie.

"We identified and signed him two years ago with a view to 2009 and beyond, but he put himself in contention during the trials and after a few solid performances off the bench he gets his chance to start this weekend."

After a strong performance for his club Randwick last weekend, Matt Carraro takes Horne's place on the bench and could make his NSW debut.

"Matt's had an injury interrupted pre-season, but he's overcome a groin problem and came back strongly," said McKenzie.

"He's a genuine No.13 who can also cover inside centre and wing, and like Luke Burgess did the previous week he's pushed himself into the selection frame by performing well in club rugby.

NSW Waratahs: Sam Norton-Knight, Lachie Turner, Rob Horne, Tom Carter, Lote Tuqiri, Kurtley Beale, Luke Burgess, Wycliff Palu, Phil Waugh (capt), Dean Mumm, Dan Vickerman, Will Caldwell, Matt Dunning, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Benn Robinson. Res: Adam Freier, Al Baxter, David Lyons, Beau Robinson, Brett Sheehan, Matt Carraro, Alfi Mafi.

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