NRL trials week three: Squad lists and talking points

It's the last weekend of trials before the NRL season begins.

Most clubs have listed their best squads, and there are a few intriguing positional switches for big-name players.

MORE: Jack de Belin left out of Charity Shield squad for welfare reasons as NRL D-Day looms  |  Cronulla Sharks prop Aaron Woods unbothered by criticism

Scroll down to view the team lists and points of interest for each match.

NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS V WESTS TIGERS

Saturday, March 2 at Northland Events Centre, 5pm (3pm AEDT)

SQUADS

POINTS OF INTEREST

Warriors: Captain and reigning Dally M medallist fullback Roger Tuivasa-Sheck returns from a knee injury.

Experienced five-eighth Blake Green is back after missing last weekend's trial against Melbourne with a minor hamstring strain.

Adam Keighran and Chanel Harris-Tavita are likely to both spend time as Green's halves partner, and their performances could dictate who wears the No.7 jumper in round one.

Hooker Issac Luke will not play as he continues rehabilitation from shoulder surgery, though he is expected to be ready for the season's start.

Wests Tigers: Veteran Benji Marshall appears set to begin the season at five-eighth, beating out Josh Reynolds for the No.6.

Fellow stalwart Robbie Farah will retain the starting hooker's role, with Jacob Liddle set to bide his time on the interchange.

Premiership winner Ryan Matterson and former Souths flyer Rob Jennings will make their first appearances for Wests Tigers.

Second-rower Chris Lawrence broke his jaw at training during the week and will not play. He is no chance for round one.

NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS V CRONULLA SHARKS

Saturday, March 2 at Maitland Sports Ground 5:30pm

SQUADS

POINTS OF INTEREST

Knights: Coach Nathan Brown has gone with a full-strength team, and gee, it looks good.

Centre recruit Hymel Hunt has been included on the bench having missed last weekend's 18-10 trial loss to St George Illawarra with a hamstring complaint.

Winger Shaun Kenny-Dowall was ruled out on Friday with an ankle injury. The versatile Kurt Mann replaces him on the flank.

Sharks: Josh Dugan will line up in the centres, pushing teen sensation Bronson Xerri to the extended bench.

Shaun Johnson is set to wear the Sharks' jersey for the initial time, rekindling his halves partnership with former Warriors teammate Chad Townsend.

With Luke Lewis retired and Wade Graham injured, Kurt Capewell and rookie Briton Nikora have been named as the starting second-rowers.

SYDNEY ROOSTERS V MANLY SEA EAGLES

Saturday, March 2 at Central Coast Stadium 7pm

SQUADS

POINTS OF INTEREST

Roosters: Former Rabbitohs forward Angus Crichton is named as captain in his Roosters debut.

Crichton aside, none of the Chooks' big names have been included, with the majority enjoying a strong hit-out in last fortnight's World Club Challenge win.

Ex-Newcastle playmaker Brock Lamb will start at halfback.

Sea Eagles:  Squad not yet named

PENRITH PANTHERS V PARRAMATTA EELS

Saturday, March 2 at Panthers Stadium 7:00pm

SQUADS

POINTS OF INTEREST

Panthers: Halfback Nathan Cleary will play under his father for the first time when he returns from ankle surgery this Saturday.

Powerful second-rower Viliame Kikau is unavailable after the MCL injury he sustained last weekend. He is replaced by Jack Hetherington.

James Tamou, Dean Whare and James Fisher-Harris will all blow out the cobwebs.

Parramatta: Jaeman Salmon, Josh Hoffman and David Gower have missed selection for the NRL side and will instead turn out for Wentworthville in an earlier match.

High-profile addition Blake Ferguson takes his place on the wing.

Eighteen-year-old Dylan Brown has retained the No.6 after a solid performance in Parramatta's 22-20 trial loss to Canberra two weekends ago. He is on track to make his official NRL entrance in round one.

GOLD COAST TITANS V BRISBANE BRONCOS

Saturday, March 2 at Cbus Super Stadium 7.30pm

SQUADS

POINTS OF INTEREST

Broncos: Having not played since round five last season, Matt Gillett is back from a fractured neck.

He will play lock instead of his usual position of in the second-row however, stepping into the boots of the departed Josh McGuire.

A host of stars are also on deck including Darius Boyd, Kodi Nikorima, James Roberts, Corey Oates and Andrew McCullough.

Five-eighth Anthony Milford was ruled out with a minor hamstring injury, likewise forward Tevita Pangai Jnr.

Titans: He can play almost anywhere but Tyrone Peachey will begin his stint on the Gold Coast in the centres.

AJ Brimson appears likely to start the season from the bench after Michael Gordon was awarded the fullback position.

There's no room at five-eighth either, with Tyrone Roberts edging out Brimson and Ryley Jacks for the role.

RABBITOHS V DRAGONS

Charity Shield

Saturday, March 2 at Glen Willow Stadium 7.30pm

SQUADS

POINTS OF INTEREST

Rabbitohs:  Ethan Lowe begins Souths career off the bench after signing with the club on Tuesday.

Captain Greg Inglis won't return from a knee injury this weekend despite declaring he felt fit enough to play.

Halfback Adam Reynolds and prop George Burgess' opening games of the year are set to come in round one after being left out of the squad.

Dragons: Jack de Belin has been stood down under the NRL's new 'no-fault' player policy and was not available for selection.

Crucial forwards Tyson Frizell and James Graham will pull on the Red V for the first time in 2019 after being rested from last weekend's win against Newcastle.

NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS V MELBOURNE STORM

Saturday, March 2 at BB Print Stadium 7:00pm (8.00pm AEDT)

SQUADS

POINTS OF INTEREST

Cowboys: In bad news for the opposing halves who'll have to tackle him, North Queensland wrecking ball Jason Taumalolo has been shifted from the middle to the edge.

The move allows Maroons and Australian representative Josh McGuire to slot in at lock in his first game for the Cowboys.

Jordan Kahu is named at fullback, all but confirming he will start the season proper in the No.1 jumper.

Despite scoring three tries last weekend against the Titans in a masterclass display, youngster Jake Clifford didn't do enough to pip Te Maire Martin as Michael Morgan's scrum-base partner.

Storm: Scott Drinkwater will again play fullback, and a solid showing should ensure he keeps the position for round one considering Jahrome Hughes is injured.

Stars Cameron Smith, Cameron Munster, Felise Kaufusi, Jesse Bromwich and Nelson Asofa-Solomona make their first appearances of the year.

Josh Addo-Carr (personal reasons), Christian Welch (virus) and Joe Stimson (back soreness) were late withdrawals