Paddy Ryan is set for a shock return to the field for the Waratahs this weekend.
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The Tamworth product has been named on the bench for their clash with the Hurricanes on Saturday night.
It comes after the former Pirate was signed on a short-term cover deal for prop Harry Johnson-Holmes following his potentially season ending knee injury.
He linked up with the squad this week after completing his commitments in Japan.
The 33-year old has been plying his trade there with the Munakata Sanix Blues, and with San Diego in the Major League Rugby competition in the US, since finishing up with the Waratahs in 2018.
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One of their favourite sons in recent times, Ryan pulled on the sky blue more than 100 times and was part of the 2014 title-winning side.
Wallaby Ned Hannigan has also returned to Daceyville in a boost for the Waratahs as they look to push their way into the top four (they currently sit fifth).
NSW prop Angus Bell said Hanigan and Ryan had already made an impact at training.
"It just adds to the standard of training - as soon as they came in they had an immediate impact," he said.
"You could just feel the competition within the squad and also the intensity just lift again.
"It's been nothing but positive and plus those two are just top blokes ... it's great to have them both in the squad."
The Waratahs host the Hurricanes at Leichhardt Oval on Saturday night. They then have matches against the Highlanders in Dunedin and Blues back at Leichhardt to come before the eight-team finals series.
