A MAJOR reshuffle of the Waratahs’ backline is set to see Israel Folau move to outside centre and Kurtley Beale shifted to fullback in 2016, which would also have big ramifications for the Wallabies.

NSW coach Daryl Gibson is keen to use Folau’s explosive skill-set in the crucial No.13 position, while Beale’s brilliant World Cup performances from the back of the field makes him the frontrunner to fill the position vacated by Folau.

With long-serving Adam Ashley-Cooper departing for French rugby, NSW has a hole to fill at No.13, and while winger Rob Horne is also in contention, Gibson suggested in the strongest terms that Folau will be given first crack.

“Israel has had three years in rugby to really study the game, he’s got another three years [left on his ARU contract], it could be a good thing having a positional switch and having that challenge of learning a new role,” Gibson said.

“I am definitely keen to explore the option of using Israel in the centres, and he is certainly interested in moving to the front line.

“The other element to factor in is that is has been widely acknowledged that Kurtley Beale had an outstanding World Cup, particularly from fullback.

“So I am really open to using Kurtley at fullback, I want to see how things play out there, I know Kurtley is very good in open spaces from the back.

“We’re not lacking for options, that is for sure.”

With an outside centre-fullback combination of Folau and Beale, the Tahs’ backline would take on a completely new look to that which was used by Michael Cheika, now fulltime coach of the Wallabies.

Under Cheika, the Tahs won the 2014 Super Rugby title with Folau at fullback and Beale at inside centre.

media_camera Rugby league convert Reece Robinson has impressed at the Waratahs.

But Gibson’s vision would see veteran Matt Carraro favourite to take the No.12 jersey and form a midfield partnership with Bernard Foley. That would leave Horne, and new recruits Zac Guildford and Reece Robinson battling for the two wing spots, with rookies Andrew Kellaway and Harry Jones the backups.

Should Folau move to centre and be a success, he could be competing directly against the Brumbies’ Tevita Kuridrani for the Wallabies’ No.13 jersey, even though Cheika prefers him at fullback.

It remains unclear whether Folau will be fit for the Super Rugby season-opener against Queensland in Sydney on February 27, however, as he has undergone ankle surgery and is not expected to resume running until late January.

But Gibson’s innovative positional strategies will certainly remove any complacency from within NSW”s star-studded backline.

“I want the guys to really compete against each other for positions, and through that we will get better performances,” Gibson said.

Meanwhile, a landmark match between the Brumbies and European champions Toulon is set to fall apart as talks go quiet between the clubs.

Management of the Canberra-based Brumbies and Toulon, the world’s richest rugby club, have been speaking about staging a match on February 13 in Singapore for weeks.

The game could have seen Wallabies stars Quade Cooper, Matt Giteau, Drew Mitchell and James O’Connor lining up against Brumbies stars including David Pocock, Stephen Moore and Matt Toomua, but significant broadcasting and logistical issues are set to scupper the mooted game.

Instead, the Brumbies may look to play against Queensland in Brisbane on that date, a week after their trial against NSW in Wagga Wagga.

The Brumbies begin their 2016 Super Rugby campaign against last season’s finalists the Hurricanes in Canberra on February 26.