NRL Round 3 Preview: Dragons face Eels in Multicultural Round showdown

Author: St George Illawarra Dragons
Timestamp: Thu 19 Mar 2026, 08:21 AM

The Dragons make the trip out west for a Sunday afternoon showdown against the Eels to celebrate the NRL's annual Multicultural Round.

The club's Knock-On Effect NSW Cup squad will be in action in the lead-up to the main game as they look to continue their unbeaten start to the year.

Round 3 - Round 3 - Sunday 22 Mar

5:05 am

Eels

Dragons

Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney

WatchNRL

Team Lists Get Tickets

KEY INFO

Tickets: Available at Ticketmaster
Date: Sunday, March 22nd
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Parramatta
Watch: Nine, 9Now, Kayo, Foxtel
Gates Open: 1:15pm
Knock-On Effect NSW Cup: 1:35pm
NRL: 4:05pm

CELEBRATING MULTICULTURAL ROUND

Round 3 is NRL Multicultural Round, where we celebrate Rugby League as a globally connected family.

There are 66 nationalities represented in the heritage of NRL and NRLW players, with more than half of current NRL players having a father born overseas.

Players with Australian, New Zealand, Tongan, Samoan, Scottish, Cook Islands, Irish, German, Aboriginal, Turkish, Niuean and Italian roots have been named in this week's squad for the Red V.

Proud Guler talks Turkish heritage

LIDDLE RETURNS

Jacob Liddle has been named to return this weekend for the Red V having been unavailable for the side's opening two matches due to a hamstring issue.

The 29-year-old is fresh off a career year having appeared in all 24 games in 2025 notching nine tries whilst tallying 662 tackles at over 94 per cent efficiency.

Liddle nabbed match-winning tries last year versus Melbourne and Manly as he and co-captain Damien Cook developed into a stellar one-two punch in the hooking role.

TEAM NEWS

DRAGONS

Jacob Liddle has been named to make his return from a hamstring issue off the interchange.
Kyle Flanagan and Daniel Atkinson have both been named to start despite concerns over ankle injuries suffered on Saturday evening.

EELS

J’maine Hopgood (suspension) returns pushing Jack Williams to lock and former-Dragons Jack de Belin back to the interchange in the only change.

Round 3 - Round 3 - Sunday 22 Mar

5:05 am

Eels

Dragons

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Eels is number 1 Isaiah Iongi

Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Clinton Gutherson
Winger for Eels is number 2 Bailey Simonsson

Winger for Dragons is number 2 Christian Tuipulotu
Centre for Eels is number 3 Jordan Samrani

Centre for Dragons is number 3 Moses Suli
Centre for Eels is number 4 Sean Russell

Centre for Dragons is number 4 Valentine Holmes
Winger for Eels is number 5 Josh Addo-Carr

Winger for Dragons is number 5 Setu Tu
Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Jonah Pezet

Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Kyle Flanagan
Halfback for Eels is number 7 Mitchell Moses

Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Daniel Atkinson

Forwards

Prop for Eels is number 8 J'maine Hopgood

Prop for Dragons is number 8 Emre Guler
Hooker for Eels is number 9 Ryley Smith

Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Damien Cook
Prop for Eels is number 10 Junior Paulo

Prop for Dragons is number 10 Toby Couchman
2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Kelma Tuilagi

2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Luciano Leilua
2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Kitione Kautoga

2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Jaydn Su'A
Lock for Eels is number 13 Jack Williams

Lock for Dragons is number 13 Hamish Stewart

Interchange

Interchange for Eels is number 14 Dylan Walker

Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Jacob Liddle
Interchange for Eels is number 15 Sam Tuivaiti

Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Josh Kerr
Interchange for Eels is number 16 Matt Doorey

Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Blake Lawrie
Interchange for Eels is number 17 Tallyn Da Silva

Interchange for Dragons is number 17 Ryan Couchman
Interchange for Eels is number 18 Jack De Belin

Interchange for Dragons is number 18 Hame Sele
Interchange for Eels is number 19 Joash Papalii

Interchange for Dragons is number 19 Mathew Feagai

Reserves

Reserve for Eels is number 20 Charlie Guymer

Reserve for Dragons is number 20 Lyhkan King-Togia
Reserve for Eels is number 21 Brian Kelly

Reserve for Dragons is number 21 Loko Pasifiki Tonga
Reserve for Eels is number 22 Luca Moretti

Reserve for Dragons is number 22 Tyrell Sloan