Just days out from their do-or-die Super14 semi-final against the Sharks, the NSW Waratahs have been dealt a cruel blow with veteran back-rower David Lyons breaking down at training.
Lyons suffered the injury scare on Thursday afternoon, with scans confirming he will miss the Sydney Football Stadium clash.
Beau Robinson has been rushed into the team to take Lyon's place on the bench.
Meanwhile, teenage centre Rob Horne has been recalled to the Waratahs' starting side, replacing Matt Carraro at outside centre for the sudden-death encounter.
In the only other change, Adam Freier replaces injured hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau, with Al Manning the new reserve hooker.
League convert Timana Tahu has again been named on the bench.
NSW Waratahs: SAM NORTON-KNIGHT, LACHIE TURNER, ROB HORNE, TOM CARTER, LOTE TUQIRI, KURTLEY BEALE, LUKE BURGESS, WYCLIFF PALU, PHIL WAUGH (capt), ROCKY ELSOM, DAN VICKERMAN, DEAN MUMM, AL BAXTER, ADAM FREIER, BENN ROBINSON. Res: AL MANNING, MATT DUNNING, WILL CALDWELL, BEAU ROBINSON, BRETT SHEEHAN, MATT CARRARO, TIMANA TAHU.
