The stage is set for a fairytale debut: he joins an injury-riddled ACT Brumbies squad with their backs to the wall ahead of a must-win derby against the NSW Waratahs at Canberra Stadium on Friday night.

Wallabies prop Allan Alaalatoa is in danger of missing out with a wrist injury, and 20-year-old Ross could be thrown into the deep end to partner Les Leuluaialii-Makin in the tighthead rotation.

"Doesn't come any better"? Surely this sounds more like a nightmare, right? Not for an ACT product on the rise, says the former junior Wallabies prop's mentor and Gungahlin Eagles coach Marco Caputo.

"Playing against the Waratahs, we built the whole history and the culture on that rivalry. If you put yourself in his shoes, it’s a dream debut potentially. There’s a fairytale there for him," Caputo said.

"The team is going to be desperate to get a result, so if he can play his part, it’s a good story there. The thing about Tommy is he’s a footballer, he’s not one of these guys who is manufactured in the gym.

"They get taught how to play after they’ve built their body, but Rossy is an out and out footballer. The best thing he’s got going is his temperament. He won’t be overawed by the opportunity that’s going to come his way.

"He’s very diligent, you give him a task to do and he researches it and studies it. The next time you ask him to do it, he’s done his work and he’s better the second time around.

"He’s had a good grounding, the NRC was really good for him. He got the season there where he got opportunities to come up against some international guys and he didn’t shirk it. He was actually one of our better performers.

"He shouldn’t be daunted by what’s in front of him, he should be excited to be able to show everyone what he can do."

Ross has long been touted a rising star in the ACT ranks and earned a full-time Super Rugby contract this season having come on in leaps and bounds with the Canberra Vikings and Gungahlin Eagles.

Caputo labels Ross "genetically blessed" to have been born with the physique he does at tighthead, boasting a bottom half many players "spend their whole life trying to get".

But being genetically gifted will count for little against the Waratahs. Caputo says Ross will have to quickly adapt to the rigours of repeat efforts at the top level, but he is more than confident he has the engine for it.

The nephew of Canberra Raiders great Bradley Clyde isn't the only Brumby with a chance to show what they an do ahead of them as Lachlan McCaffrey returns with David Pocock a potential omission due to a calf injury.

The Brumbies are treading carefully with Pocock given his recent run with injury and it could mean the breakdown specialist is kept sidelined for the Australian conference showdown.

The club is also without 12 star players, tied up in Sydney for a Wallabies World Cup planning meeting, until Tuesday night.

Chances to turn a debut into a fairytale in circumstances like this certainly don't come around very often.

SUPER RUGBY ROUND FIVE

Friday: ACT Brumbies v NSW Waratahs at Canberra Stadum, 7.45pm. Tickets available from Ticketek.