Waratahs Super Rugby squad, 2018 season preview, odds, schedule, draw, Kurtley Beale return the difference

Daryl Gibson takes over the defensive responsibilities from Nathan Grey. Simon Cron is the new forwards coach. Kurtley Beale is back at inside centre. Waratahs have won 61.8 per cent of the time with him on the field compared to 37.3 per Cent. The team that won the championship in 2014 conceded 522 points. The Warats finished 16th last year. They played an extra three matches in 2017. Their back-row is strong and mobile, but their tight five is light on.

The Waratahs squad is: Paddy Ryan, Sekope Kepu, Matt Sandell, Tom Robertson, Shambeckler Vui, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Cody Walker, Damien Fitzpatrick, Tolu Latu and Hugh Roach. Back row: Ned Hanigan, Lachlan Swinton, Brad Wilkin, Michael Hooper (c), Jack Dempsey, Jed Holloway, Will Miller, Maclean Jones, Kelly Meafua.

Nick Phipps, Jake Gordon and Mitch Short are the scrumhalves in the squad. Kurtley Beale returns to the side.

Bernard Foley, Mack Mason, Irae Simone and Lalakai Foketi are the fly halves in the Waratahs squad. Kurtley Beale returns to the centres.

Bryce Hegarty, Curtis Rona, Alex Newsome, Cameron Clark, Andrew Kellaway, Taqele Naiyaravoro, Israel Folau, and Kurtley Beale return to the Waratahs Super Rugby squad.

Harry Johnson-Homes, Shambeckler Vui, Cody Walker, Nick Palmer, Rob Simmons, Tom Staniforth, Kelly Meafua, Will Miller, Lachie Swinton, Kurtley Beale, Lalakai Foketi, Alex Newsome, Curtis Rona are in. Dave Lolohea, San Needs, Angus Ta’avao, David McDuling, Dean Mumm, will Skelton, Senio Toleafoa, Matt Lucas, Andrew Deegan, and David Horwitz are out.

Israel Folau, Taqele Naiyaravoro, Curtis Rona, Kurtley Beale, Cam Clark, Bernard Foley, Nick Phipps, Jack Dempsey, Michael Hooper, Ned Hanigan, Rob Simmons, Tom Staniforth, Sekope Kepu, Tolu Latu and Tom Robertson are the Waratahs Super Rugby squad for the 2018 season.

Sekope Kepu is suspended and Jack Dempsey is injured. Tolu Latu, Cam Clark and Taqele Naiyaravoro are left out of the squad. Waratahs play the Stormers on Saturday.

Bernard Foley and Israel Folau are back together after Kurtley Beale's one-year stint in the English Premiership. Beales' time in England improved his kicking and game management skills. Waratahs players also trained hard in off-season.

The Waratahs have a lack of muscle up front. The trial match against the Rebels at Brookvale raised concerns about the set-piece.

Waratahs Super Rugby squad, 2018 season preview, odds, schedule, draw and Kurtley Beale return the difference.

To win the Australian conference is $2.60.

Waratahs are favourites to win the Super Rugby title.

The Waratahs have the best backline in Australia and shouldn't have any issues turning half chances into points. However, they could struggle against the stronger packs in the competition.