Veteran Dean Mumm will return to the NSW Waratahs back-row for this weekend's Super Rugby clash with the Stormers in Cape Town after a lengthy stint as a lock.
In the only change to the team that started last week against Western Force, Mumm comes into the run-on side at blindside flanker because of nerve damage to the shoulder of promising back-rower Jack Dempsey.
Mumm has played primarily as a second-rower for both the Waratahs and Wallabies since returning to Australia in mid-2015, but is no stranger to the No.6 jersey and the demands of the position.
Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson opted to stick with the second-row combination of Dave Dennis and Will Skelton, which started last week's game, when Mumm was on the bench.
"David and Will combined well in the second-row," Gibson said in a teleconference on Thursday.
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"I thought Dave had one of his best games for the Waratahs from that position and so I'm leaving that as it is.
"I felt Dean always views himself as a flanker and so it's worth a try."
Gibson said Mumm would help the lineout and was very athletic.
He wasn't sure how long Dempsey would be out for, saying the problem with the right shoulder could take from days to weeks to heal.
"He's certainly made progress this week but not enough to put him out on the field safely," Gibson said.
"It's going to be a wait and see with him."
Forward Sam Lousi comes onto the bench for Mumm.
Gibson said hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau would get more minutes off the bench against the Stormers after returning to action against the Force following several weeks out with a fractured arm.
NSW Waratahs: Andrew Kellaway, Reece Robinson, Israel Folau, Kurtley Beale, Rob Horne, Bernard Foley, Nick Phipps, Jed Holloway, Michael Hooper (C), Dean Mumm, Will Skelton, David Dennis, Tom Robertson, Hugh Roach, Paddy Ryan. Reserves: Tatafu Polota-Nau, Jeremy Tilse, Angus Taavao, Sam Lousi, Wycliff Palu, Matt Lucas, David Horwitz, Matt Carraro.
