Crawford scored eight tries in seven games on the wing for NSW last year, finishing equal second in the try-scoring rankings alongside Folau, Hosea Gear (Highlanders) and Henry Speight (Brumbies).

It is an impressive statistic considering, much like this year, Crawford was a slow starter.

Coach Michael Cheika experimented with using Lachie Turner, Drew Mitchell, Peter Betham and Tom Kingston on the wings early on before settling on a combination using Betham, Crawford and Mitchell, always with Folau at the back.

This year, rookie Alofa Alofa caught the early-season momentum, and only ceded his starting spot to Rob Horne once, against the Sharks, before injuring his knee against the Stormers last week.

It gave Crawford, who had been behind Horne and Matt Carraro for most of the season, his chance at last.

"Rugby's all about opportunity and we have a strong squad, like we've always preached, and those guys played really well, so I guess it's just my chance again to have a crack," he said.

"If you look back on last year, I wasn't playing at this stage, so I'm a couple of weeks ahead of where I was last year, so that's not too bad.

"It has been a while but I've been working back week to week and finally feel like I'm completely ready to play again at this level."

Crawford's form last year was so good he was on the radar of Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie, but a shoulder reconstruction put an end to the 25-year-old's season.

He returned to full duties for the Waratahs early this season but could not crack the match squad, admitting it had taken him longer than expected to return to top form.

"It's not easy coming back from major surgery, it's the first time I've done it and it took a while to feel myself again," Crawford said. "But that's the case now, so I'm ready to go."

He will partner with Horne against the Force on Saturday, with Folau at fullback.

"I've played quite a lot with Izzy last year, and he's a handful for any defence, so it's nice when you get a bit more room, if they're focusing on him," Crawford said.

The only other changes to the Waratahs' side came with the loss of Wycliff Palu at No.8. Captain Dave Dennis moves into that position, second-rower Jacques Potgieter moves to blindside breakaway, and Will Skelton partners Kane Douglas in the second row.

The Force named United States-born, South African-raised Marcel Brache as Junior Rasolea's replacement in the No.13 jersey, keeping Kyle Godwin inside him at No.12.

Brache was the only change to the starting line-up, with Chris Tuatara-Morrison in line for his Super Rugby debut on the bench.

"They're going to show a strong wall I think," Crawford said.

"It's just about knocking it down essentially; keeping the ball, keeping the pressure on them, playing smart when we need to and just grinding out another win."

Horne and Crawford have very direct attributes compared with the footwork and flair of Betham and Alofa. They will mark Test winger Nick Cummins and the in-form Luke Morahan on Saturday night.

"We like to think we have a bit of finesse in our game but we'll be carrying it hard that's for sure," Crawford said.

"[Morahan] has good speed, good size, he's a good attacking threat. He likes to chip and chase as well. He has a lot of skills and I'm looking forward to getting out against him and Cummo because they're in good form."

Waratahs: Israel Folau, Cam Crawford, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Kurtley Beale, Rob Horne, Bernard Foley, Nick Phipps, Dave Dennis (c), Michael Hooper, Jacques Potgieter, Kane Douglas, Will Skelton, Sekope Kepu, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Benn Robinson. Res: Tolu Latu, Jeremy Tilse, Paddy Ryan, Stephen Hoiles, Pat McCutcheon, Brendan McKibbin, Jono Lance, Matt Carraro.