Nathan Peats, Curtis Sironen and Thomas Leuluai headline the big inclusions for round six of the NRL after teams were named on Tuesday.
Parramatta hooker Peats will return from three matches out with an elbow injury when the Eels host Canberra on Saturday.
Wests Tigers back-rower Sironen also comes back from three games sidelined with a hamstring injury for the joint venture’s trip to Newcastle on Sunday.
Warriors utility Leuluai is set to play his first game in almost a year when the New Zealanders host Manly on Saturday after a knee injury ended his 2015.
The news of the Kiwi international’s return is a further boost for the Warriors who have managed rare back-to-back wins.
“We have to get through training this week but were expecting Thomas to be back after a long time out,” Warriors coach Andrew McFadden said on Tuesday.
“With Manu (Vatuvei) we’re not sure about his injury but Jonathan (Wright) comes in to fill his spot as he has done for us before.”
Vatuvei suffered a hamstring injury in last weekend’s golden point victory over Sydney Roosters.
St George Illawarra coach Paul McGregor has resisted the temptation to swing the axe after his side’s disastrous 36-0 loss to North Queensland. The former Kangaroos centre has named the same 17 to meet Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday night to open round six.
Bryson Goodwin returns on the wing for South Sydney’s clash with arch rivals the Roosters at ANZ Stadium on Friday night. Kirisome Auva’a moves to centre.
Luke Bateman moves onto the Raiders’ bench in place of Sia Soliola, who suffered a fractured arm in the win over Canterbury and will miss up to eight weeks.
Feleti Mateo has been dumped for the Sea Eagles’ trip to Auckland. Tom Symonds comes into Trent Barrett’s side and Jake Trbojevic is back at lock after one game out with a knee complaint.
Both Penrith and North Queensland are unchanged for their match at Pepper Stadium on Saturday night.
Cameron Cullen will make his long-awaited NRL debut for Gold Coast against Cronulla at Shark Park on Sunday. Cullen will join Ash Taylor in the Titans’ halves with Greg Bird moving back to lock.
“I feel Cameron’s ready,” Titans coach Neil Henry said.
“Ash Taylor needs some help there, Tyrone Roberts is not going to be right, Birdy’s better in his position, he’s happy to go back at lock.”
Tariq Sims is back from a five-match suspension for the Knights.
Marika Koroibete returns from a one-match ban onto the wing for Melbourne’s match against Canterbury at AAMI Park on Monday night.
