Exciting young backs Rob Horne and Kurtley Beale have been promoted to start for the NSW Waratahs in Saturday's Super 14 clash with the Blues.

Horne replaces Tom Carter at outside centre after some classy efforts off the bench while Beale ousts off-season signing Sosene Anesi at fullback.

No.8 Wycliff Palu and Al Baxter have been named to return from injury in the other two changes for the match against the Aucklanders at the SFS but they must pass fitness tests on Friday.

Coach Chris Hickey said Horne's return had been graduated as he has contended with niggling injuries.

"We've said all along that Rob needed to tick all the boxes before he'd be considered as a potential starter and over the past month he's done that," said Hickey.

"He's had similar hamstring injuries over the past 12 months or so, and given he's still only 20, you can't push these things ahead too quickly."

Beale started the season unconvincingly at inside centre but has impressed off the bench in the last four rounds.

"Credit to him, since he went back to the bench he's worked hard and had to play a number of different positions in the backline including fullback where he's looked pretty dangerous at times," Hickey said.

"This is probably the sort of game which will suit both Rob and Kurtley, and we know that Tommy Carter and Sosene Anesi will certainly have a role to play from the bench as well."

The Waratahs are confident both Palu (hamstring) and Baxter (calf) will return to action after missing the 14-10 win over the Western Force, but Locky McCaffrey and Dan Palmer remain on standby.

"Like any players coming back from injury you want them as close to 100 per cent as possible before they take the field," said Hickey.

NSW Waratahs: Kurtley Beale, Lachie Turner, Rob Horne, Berrick Barnes, Drew Mitchell, Daniel Halangahu, Luke Burgess; Wycliff Palu, Phil Waugh, Dave Dennis, Kane Douglas, Dean Mumm, Al Baxter, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Benn Robinson. Res: Damien Fitzpatrick, Sekope Kepu, Will Caldwell, Ben Mowen, Josh Holmes, Tom Carter, Sosene Anesi.

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