Rugby league’s enfant terrible Willie Mason will make his return to the NRL on Monday after Newcastle coach Wayne Bennett named the 32-year-old former NSW prop on the bench for the clash with Penrith.

Mason, who has spent the last six months playing rugby in France following an ill-fated switch to Hull KR in the Super League, has not played in the NRL since a stint with North Queensland in 2010.

Following his return from Europe, the controversial ex-Canterbury and Sydney Roosters forward has been training alone in Sydney and had looked set to sign for the Wests Tigers earlier this month, only for the move to fall through.

But Bennett made a shock move to approach Mason last week and the former Test star, who grew up in nearby Toronto said it was a dream come true to play for the Knights, 16 years after they rejected him.

“It was a bit surreal, to be told after training by Wayne I was in the 17,” Mason said.

“He’s not a coach for mind games and leave it until Sunday afternoon and it’s something I am very happy and privileged to do, I have always wanted to play for the Knights ever since I was a child.”

Mason played for the Knights’ NSW Cup side on Saturday and did enough to show Bennett he was still good enough to play at the highest level.

“If I was in bad nick or played badly at the weekend he wouldn’t have picked me,” Mason said.

“He’s a pretty straight shooter, he would have told me I was not fit enough or couldn’t cut it in the NRL.

“He obviously thinks differently and thinks I can do a job.”