Cronulla prop Ben Ross has warned man-of-the-moment Todd Carney to expect the toughest test of his NRL season on Monday when he tries to haul down South Sydney behemoth Dave Taylor.

Carney has been instrumental in the rejuvenated Sharks’ brilliant start to the NRL season which has seen them reel off six successive victories and catapulted him into pole position for the NSW five-eighth spot.

But former Souths front-rower Ross is wary of the threat presented by the Rabbitohs – particularly his close friend Taylor – who plays on the same side as Carney and is tipped to be gunning for the 2010 Dally M Medallist.

Queensland back-rower Taylor clocked up more than 160 metres and made three line-breaks in addition to scoring a try in Souths’ 20-16 win over North Queensland last week.

And Ross is fully aware of the problems he can cause the Sharks.

“I still hang out with Dave a fair bit, it’s going to be fun playing against him,” Ross said.

“He’s a phenomenal player. The size he is he can dominate anyone. I feel sorry for Toddy this week because I think he’s going to cop it.”

Ross is full of admiration for his former side, but believes he made the right decision in returning to Cronulla, the club he left in 2010 after a career-threatening neck injury that almost left him paralysed.

“I know they lost a few people through injury but Greggy (Inglis) and Dave and Issac Luke have been playing out of their skins and they’ll try and dominate us this week.

“I got a new lease of life in my last year at Souths and now coming back home I’m just happy with my footy at the moment.

“I love living five minutes down the road and playing with my mates again.”