Fitzpatrick to captain Waratahs in Japan

Hooker Damien Fitzpatrick will captain the Waratahs when they head to Japan next week.

The Waratahs will play Top League side the NEC Green Rockets in Tokyo on Sunday June 17, with the Brumbies playing Suntory on the same day.

Fitzpatrick will skipper a squad made up of essentially all of NSW's fit players, who aren't involved in the June Test window, with Sydney Uni's Will McDonnell also joining the group.

Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson said the side would benefit greatly from the trip.

"Rugby continues to grow in Japan and it is a great chance for us to be part of an international festival that will help promote the game in that region and also give our players an opportunity to play an international team,” he said.

The Waratahs take on the NEC Green Rockets on Sunday June 17 as part of a week-long Chichibunomiya rugby festival.

SQUAD

Waratahs to tour Japan

Damien Fitzpatrick (captain)

Cameron Clark

Lalakai Foketi

Jake Gordon

Bryce Hegarty

Harry Johnson-Holmes

Jed Holloway

Maclean Jones

Mack Mason

Ryan McCauley

Will McDonnell

Will Miller

Taqele Naiyaravoro

Alex Newsome

Hugh Roach

Paddy Ryan

Mitchell Short

Irae Simone

Tom Staniforth

Lachlan Swinton

Shambeckler Vui

Cody Walker

Michael Wells

Brad Wilkin