Skipper Robbie Farah has been ruled out of the Wests Tigers’ first NRL trial match of the year with a hamstring injury.
The NSW hooker suffered a slight strain during training this week and will miss Saturday’s clash with Penrith at Kirkham Oval, near Camden, south-west of Sydney.
The injury comes just over a month out from the Tigers’ season-opener against St George Illawarra at ANZ Stadium.
Veteran Braith Anasta will take his place as captain, with NYC hooker Manaia Cherrington coming into the squad.
New recruits Cory Paterson, Blake Austin, Martin Taupau and Keith Lulia are set to line up in the orange and black for the first time, alongside returning stars Dene Halatau and Pat Richards.