Front-rower Sam Rapira is set to make his first NRL appearance of the season after being named on the bench for the Warriors against the Roosters in Sydney on Saturday.

He has been included on a six-man interchange bench after being sidelined with a shoulder injury since a pre-season game.

The 24-year-old, 123-game veteran has been selected on a bench which also includes Kiwi prop Russell Packer and Ukuma Ta’ai.

Warriors coach Brian McClennan has made just one change to the run-on combination used to beat Gold Coast last weekend.

Second-rower Feleti Mateo is listed to start with Lewis Brown moving to the bench.

“It’s great having Sam ready this week,” McClennan said.

“He was close against Gold Coast but the decision was made to give him another week.”

Also named are fullback Kevin Locke and winger Manu Vatuvei, who both came out of the 26-6 win against the Titans requiring medical attention.

Vatuvei sat out most of the second half with his left hamstring iced but he trained on Tuesday.

Locke is recovering from a cork above his right knee and didn’t train.

Glen Fisiiahi, who played four NRL matches last year, has been included on the bench.

He has scored nine tries in his past two NSW Cup matches for the Auckland Vulcans.

The Warriors will encounter a Roosters side chastened by a humiliating 44-4 loss to the Storm last Sunday.