Wests Tigers veteran Chris Lawrence will miss the start of the NRL season after suffering a badly broken jaw at pre-season training.

Lawrence was injured during the Tigers’ trip to Auckland ahead of their last pre-season hit out against the Warriors on Saturday.

At this stage it’s unclear how long the 30-year-old second-rower will miss, but he will be required to see a surgeon in New Zealand before returning to Australia.

Meanwhile, Benji Marshall appears to be winning the race for the Tigers’ five-eighth spot, after winning the No.6 jersey for Saturday’s clash.

Josh Reynolds will come off the bench as a utility, after he missed the majority of last year through injury.

Robert Jennings will also play for the club just a week after signing from South Sydney, and he will play in the centres ahead of Mahe Fonua after playing on the wing last year.