Waugh's release added to the intrigue surrounding a one-less-than-expected 29-man squad announced for the first four Tests of the international season, beginning with the Baa-Baas clash at the Sydney Football Stadium on June 6.

It emerged yesterday the Waratahs skipper had been invited to play for the Barbarians against England at Twickenham on May 30 and in Sydney a week later at a time of much speculation he might not be a part of the Wallabies set-up in 2009.

But the 29-year-old was named in a squad already heavy with openside flanker options just a day after Waratahs No8 Wycliff Palu was ruled out for four weeks with a broken hand.

''It is a bit weird,'' Mortlock said of Waugh switching between camps.

''It is a bit different but the Baa-Baas have that prestige and that history behind them and every way you look at it I think it's going to be an unbelievable fixture.''

With talk Waugh has fallen in the No7 pecking order behind George Smith and David Pocock, Wallabies coach Robbie Deans said watching him go head-to-head with his rival Australian flankers would be ''a great result''.

''Waughy's earned that right,'' Deans said. ''He's a player who's given fantastic service over a long period of time and the Barbarians were keen to have him involved and we saw no reason not to.''

Asked if he expected the speculation to fire Waugh up for the SFS match, Mortlock said: ''Waughy's a competitor.

''You only have to look at the times where there has been talk about form or what-not and look at how he's performed on the paddock.

''This year he's done extremely well leading the Waratahs again so you want those sort of guys in your squad.''

With a 30-man group expected and blindside flanker options thin on the ground, speculation will also mount that Rocky Elsom is set to re-join the Wallabies after he lines up for the Barbarians in the back row alongside Waugh.