St George Illawarra Dragons Head Coach Paul McGregor has finalised his team for the upcoming fixture against the Gold Coast Titans at UOW Jubilee Oval, Kogarah on Friday.
Dragons utility Josh McCrone has been named has halfback following the omission of Benji Marshall who was unable to overcome a recent hamstring strain and will miss out on playing his 250th first-grade fixture in the NRL this round.
Furthermore, Jason Nightingale has been named as fullback as a result of Josh Dugan undergoing surgery to his jaw and subsequently being sidelined for at least four-to-six weeks.
Fellow Dragons utility Kurt Mann has been named on the vacant wing whilst centre Tim Lafai has been named in the three-quarters role.
Dragons prop Mike Cooper has been named on the interchange after overcoming a problematic disk in his back and joins fellow prop Leeson Ah Mau as well as second-rowers Tariq Sims and Jake Marketo.
5. Jason Nightingale
2. Kalifa Faifai Loa
3. Euan Aitken
20. Tim Lafai
4. Kurt Mann
6. Gareth Widdop (c)
18. Josh McCrone
8. Russell Packer
9. Mitch Rein
10. Tyson Frizell
11. Jacob Host
12. Joel Thompson
13. Jack de Belin
14. Tariq Sims
15. Leeson Ah Mau
17. Jake Marketo
21. Mike Cooper
