Ben Barba will play his first game of rugby league since last year’s NRL grand final after being named at fullback for English club St Helens in the Super League.

Saints coach Justin Holbrook has shifted England fullback Jonny Lomax to five-eighth to accommodate Barba for the Super 8s match against Wigan on Friday (Saturday morning AEST).

The Saints sit fifth on the standings after three Super 8 matches ahead of the home clash against the sixth-placed Warriors.

Barba, 28, scored a try in Cronulla’s 14-12 grand final victory over Melbourne last October but was banned by the NRL club one month later after testing positive for cocaine.

His 12-match suspension prompted him to leave Australia after being signed by French rugby union club Toulon.

The 2012 Dally M medallist’s cross-code move was short-lived, playing four games for the star-studded club and failing to score a try before being released.

He was picked up by St Helens in May on a two-and-a-half year contract.

Barba hasn’t been available for selection, with the Super League agreeing to honour the NRL’s ban.