Wests Tigers Life Member Benji Marshall headlines a number of key returns as Ivan Cleary's side look to end a run of four straight defeats defeats this Sunday when they take on the St. George-Illawarra Dragons at UOW Jubilee Oval.
After missing the last three games with a calf injury, Marshall returns earlier than expected and will start alongside Luke Brooks in the halves, who himself will play his 100th NRL game this weekend. The 33-year-old Marshall replaces Josh Reynolds in the team for Sunday's game, who has been ruled out with a minor shoulder injury sustained against the Gold Coast Titans in Round 16, and will play alongside fellow Life Member Robbie Farah for the first time since the final round of the 2013 NRL season.
In addition to Marshall, Wests Tigers will welcome back David Nofoaluma (calf) and Ben Matulino (knee) from injury this week, with the pair returning to their respective spots in the run-on side.
Nofoaluma replaces Malakai Watene-Zelezniak on the wing, with Corey Thompson shifting to the left side, while Matulino joins Russell Packer up front as Alex Twal drops back to the interchange bench.
After making his international debut for Samoa in the Representative Round, Josh Aloiai starts in the back row alongside Chris Lawrence, who will formally captain the team on Sunday afternoon.
One of the stars of the Intrust Super Premiership competition this year, rookie forward Luke Garner has been named amongst the reserves after recently re-signing with the club prior to the June 30 deadline.
Garner joins Watene-Zelezniak, Tim Grant and Jacob Liddle as the four reserves for Sunday's game.
For the Dragons, Coach Paul McGregor has named Ben Hunt, Paul Vaughan, Tyson Frizell, Tariq Sims and Jack De Belin to all back-up from Wednesday's State of Origin match at Suncorp Stadium, with Jacob Host (shoulder) out and Darren Nicholls, Hame Sele, Reece Robson and Blake Lawrie on the reserves.
Jason Nightingale also returns to the wing with Kurt Mann dropped to the bench in jersey 15.
WESTS TIGERS
1. Moses Mbye
2. David Nofoaluma
3. Esan Marsters
4. Kevin Naiqama
5. Corey Thompson
6. Benji Marshall
7. Luke Brooks
8. Russell Packer
9. Robbie Farah
10. Ben Matulino
11. Chris Lawrence (capt.)
12. Josh Aloiai
13. Elijah Taylor
Interchange:
14. Alex Twal
15. Sauaso Sue
16. Michael Chee Kam
17. Matt Eisenhuth
Reserves:
18. Jacob Liddle
19. Luke Garner
20. Tim Grant
21. Malakai Watene-Zelezniak
ST. GEORGE-ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
1. Matt Dufty
2. Nene Macdonald
3. Euan Aitken
4. Tim Lafai
5. Jason Nightingale
6. Gareth Widdop (capt.)
7. Ben Hunt
8. James Graham
9. Cameron McInnes
10. Paul Vaughan
11. Tyson Frizell
12. Tariq Sims
13. Jack de Belin
Interchange:
14. Jeremy Latimore
15. Kurt Mann
16. Leeson Ah Mau
17. Luciano Leilua
Reserves:
18. Patrick Herbert
19. Hame Sele
20. Blake Lawrie
21. Reece Robson
22. Jai Field
23. Darren Nicholls
Coach: Paul McGregor
