Sick of being run over by more physical Super Rugby opponents, the beefed-up NSW Waratahs will put their strength to the test when they wrap up their pre-season campaign against the Western Force on Thursday night.

Eight months of toil in the weights room will be put on show at Shoalhaven Rugby Park in Nowra on the NSW south coast as the Waratahs look to make amends in 2011 following their meek surrender in last year's semi-final loss to the Stormers.

While the result of what is both sides' final trial match before next week's season kick-off is of little importance, the Waratahs will be hoping to see signs that their new-found size will allow them to dominate up front.

"They won the physical contest," Waratahs coach Chris Hickey recalled of the 25-6 loss at Newlands last May.

"... that was the area that we felt that if we're more competitive in, then it would have created other opportunities for us."

But while plenty of effort has already been exerted in adding the extra bulk - with lock Kane Douglas adding 5kg to his frame and back rower Ben Mowen going from 103kg to 114kg - veteran skipper Phil Waugh admitted the hard work wasn't over with yet.

"From that day really (the loss to the Stormers), guys like Ben Mowen, Kane Douglas - a lot of forwards have done a lot of work in terms of having good body mass, putting on more weight and being able to carry it," Waugh said.

"(But) being able to transfer that into games and making it a significant difference is still a challenge."

The Force will however be without high profile forwards Nathan Sharpe (hernia) and David Pocock (rested).

Wallabies golden boy James O'Connor has been named at five-eighth for the trial, with Cameron Shepherd to start at fullback.

It's thought O'Connor will start the regular season in the No.15, however new coach Richard Graham said he's happy to use the 20-year-old star at No.10 and inside centre as well.

Graham admits the selection dilemma has as much to do with the performances of O'Connor's teammates as those of the player himself.

But no matter where he appears, there's little doubt the Force will rely heavily on him in 2011.

"He's going to be the bloke who touches the ball more times than anyone else," Graham said.

"James is a terrific young player and certainly over the last 12 months has continued to develop his game.

"His awareness, his distribution, has really improved."

Matt Hodgson will lead the Force as captain in Nowra, while Shepherd has the chance to put his drink driving dramas behind him and push for a permanent fullback spot with a strong showing.

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