Berrick Barnes will make an earlier than expected debut for the Waratahs on Saturday, with the star NSW recruit set to return from an ankle injury against the Fiji Warriors in Orange.

Barnes and fellow import Drew Mitchell will be two of the Waratahs, 11 Wallabies stars back on deck for NSW's second trial after a young Tahs side went down 26-24 to the Reds in a pipe-opening clash in Lismore at the weekend.

It was thought a few of the Wallabies stars who'd had heavy schedules last year would be rested until the final trial with the Brumbies next Thursday, but skipper Phil Waugh, Benn Robinson, Al Baxter, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Dean Mumm, Cliffy Palu, Luke Burgess, Kurtley Beale, Lachie Turner and Mitchell will all get at least 40 minutes.