Ruan Smith has been named on the bench for the Waratahs and is set to make his Tahs debut against his former club the Queensland Reds in a marquee matchup on Friday night.

“It will be good; it’ll be weird because it was not too long ago that I was there. I’m still close with everyone and have made lifelong friends there,” Smith said.

“It’ll be interesting, I’ll be throwing a few cheeky elbows at a few people and maybe rub some dirt in their face.

“I know how they think, and their coaching staff will tell them to step it up and get in our faces and be physical as that’s probably where they want to beat us.”

Elsewhere, brothers Lachlan and Ryan Lonergan will start for the Brumbies in their Super Rugby clash against Fiji.

It’s reward for Lachlan who scored the winning try for the team in their thrilling victory over the Western Force.

Lachlan replaces Nic White at hooker with White to start the game on the bench.

“We’re fortunate to be in a position to rotate some guys in for this week off the back of a hard-fought game in the heat against the Force,” Brumbies coach Dan McKellar said.

Super Rugby Pacific Round 2 teams (ALL TIMES AEDT)

Highlanders vs Crusaders

Friday, 5:05pm, Forsyth Barr Stadium Highlanders
1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Liam Coltman, 3. Jermaine Ainsley, 4. Manaaki Selby-Rickit, 5. Josh Dickson, 6. Shannon Frizell, 7. James Lentjes, 8. Gareth Evans, 9. Aaron Smith (c), 10. Mitch Hunt, 11. Josh Timu, 12. Thomas Umaga-Jensen, 13. Fetuli Paea, 14. Sam Gilbert, 15. Connor Garden-Bachop.

Reserves: 16. Rhys Marshall, 17. Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18. Josh Hohneck, 19. Bryn Evans, 20. Marino Mikaele-Tu’u, 21. Marty Banks, 22. Hugh Renton.

Crusaders
1. Joe Moody, 2. Brodie McAlister, 3. Oliver Jager, 4. Scott Barrett (c), 5. Sam Whitelock, 6. Pablo Matera, 7. Tom Christie, 8. Cullen Grace, 9. Mitchell Drummond, 10. Fergus Burke, 11. Leicester Fainga’anuku, 12. David Havili, 13. Braydon Ennor, 14. Sevu Reece, 15. Will Jordan.

Reserves: 16. Shilo Klein, 17. George Bower, 18. Tamaiti Williams, 19. Quinten Strange, 20. Corey Kellow, 21. Bryn Hall, 22. Simon Hickey, 23. George Bridge.

Waratahs vs Reds

Friday, 7:45pm, Leichhardt Oval
Waratahs
1. Angus Bell, 2. Davie Porecki, 3. Harry Johnson-Holmes, 4. Jed Holloway, 5. Geoff Cridge, 6. Jeremy Williams, 7. Charles Gamble, 8. Will Harris, 9. Jake Gordon, 10. Ben Donaldson, 11. James Turner, 12. Lalakai Foketi,13. Izaia Perese, 14. Dylan Pietsch, 15. Alex Newsome.

Reserves: 16. Tom Horton, 17. Te Tera Faulkner, 18. Ruan Smith, 19. Hugh Sinclair, 20. Carlo Tizzano, 21. Henry Robertson, 22. Tane Edmed, 23. Jamie Roberts.

Reds
1. Feao Fotuaika, 2. Alex Mafi, 3. Taniela Tupou, 4. Angus Blyth, 5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto,6. Angus Scott-Young, 7. Fraser McReight, 8. Harry Wilson, 9. Tate McDermott (c), 10. James O’Connor, 11. Filipo Daugunu, 12. Hamish Stewart, 13. Josh Flook, 14. Jordan Petaia, 15. Jock Campbell.

Reserves: 16. Josh Nasser, 17. Harry Hoopert, 18. Zane Nonggorr, 19. Ryan Smith, 20. Seru Uru, 21. Spencer Jeans, 22. Lawson Creighton, 23. Mac Grealy.

Brumbies vs Fiji

Saturday, 2:35pm, GIO Stadium
Brumbies
1. James Slipper, 2. Lachlan Lonergan, 3. Allan Alaalatoa (c), 4. Darcy Swain, 5. Nick Frost, 6. Rob Valetini, 7. Rory Scott, 8. Pete Samu, 9. Ryan Lonergan, 10. Noah Lolesio, 11. Andy Muirhead, 12. Irae Simone, 13. Len Ikitau, 14. Tom Wright, 15. Tom Banks.

Reserves: 16. Billy Pollard, 17. Scott Sio, 18. Tom Ross, 19. Ed Kennedy, 20. Jahrome Brown, 21. Nic White, 22. Chris Feauai-Sautia, 23. Jesse Mogg.

Fijian Drua
1. Kaliopasi Uluilakepa, 2. Tevita Ikanivere, 3. Samu Tawake, 4. Isoa Nasilasila, 5. Ratu Rotuisolia, 6. Vilive Miramira, 7. Kitione Salawa, 8. Nemani Nagusa (c), 9. Simione Kuruvoili, 10. Caleb Muntz, 11. Vinaya Habosi, 12. Kalaveti Ravouvou, 13. Apisalome Vota, 14. Onisi Ratave, 15. Baden Kerr.

Reserves: 16. Mesulame Dolokto, 17. Timoci Sauvoli, 18. Manasa Saulo, 19. Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, 20. Meli Derenalagi, 21. Joseva Tamani, 22. Peni Matawalu, 23. Napolioni Bolaca

Blues vs Hurricanes

Saturday, 5:05pm, Forsyth Barr Satdium

Blues
TBC

Hurricanes TBC

Rebels vs Force

Saturday, 7:45pm, AAMI Park, Melbourne
Rebels
1. Cameron Orr, 2. Jordan Uelese, 3. Cabous Eboff, 4. Matt Philip, 5. Ross Haylett-Petty, 6. Sam Wallis, 7. Brad Wilkin, 8. Michael Wells (c), 9. Joe Powell, 10. Matt To’omua, 11. Glen Vaihu, 12. Raymond Nu’u, 13. Stacey Ili, 14. Lachie Anderson, 15. Reece Hodge.

Reserves: 16. James Hanson, 17. Matt Gibbon, 18. Sef Fa’agase, 19. Thomas Nowlan, 20. Tamati Ioane, 21. James Tuttle, 22. Carter Gordon, 23. Young Tonumaipea.

Force
1. Tom Robertson, 2. Feleti Kaitu’u (c), 3. Santiago Medrano, 4. Fergus Lee-Warner, 5. Izack Rodda, 6. Brynard Stander, 7. Kane Koteka, 8. Tim Anstee, 9. Ian Prior, 10. Reesjan Pasitoa, 11. Manasa Mataele, 12. Richard Kahui, 13. Kyle Godwin, 14. Toni Pulu, 15. Jake Strachan.

Reserves: 16. Andrew Ready, 17. Harrison Lloyd, 18. Greg Holmes, 19. Ryan McCauley, 20. Ollie Callan, 21. Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, 22. Jake McIntyre, 23. Richard Kahui.