Despite the commencement of the State of Origin period for 2018, Wests Tigers will line up at full strength for Sunday's important clash with the Sydney Roosters.
Level on points with the Tricolours and currently producing their best start to a season on record, Wests Tigers Coach Ivan Cleary has named a strong squad for Sunday's big game at Allianz Stadium.
Cleary has confirmed two small changes to the team that beat the Bulldogs last weekend, with Elijah Taylor moving in to hooker in place of Jacob Liddle, who drops out of the squad.
That sees Matt Eisenhuth return to the run-on side at lock forward, while Josh Aloiai and Tim Grant join the bench in jersey 16 and 17 respectively, with Sauaso Sue moving back to the reserves.
Sue joins Chris McQueen and Kevin Naiqama in the reserves, while Pita Godinet also returns to the squad.
Benji Marshall will formally captain the side this week while Elijah Taylor will play his 150th NRL game.
For the Roosters, Coach Trent Robinson has had to adjust his side heavily with James Tedesco, Boyd Cordner, Dylan Napa and Latrell Mitchell all unavailable due to State of Origin commitments.
Blake Ferguson shifts to fullback in place of Tedesco, with Daniel Tupou returning from a pec injury on the wing along with Matthew Ikuvalu who makes his first-grade debut on the opposite wing.
Joseph Manu shifts in to the centres with Mitchell Aubusson, while Victor Radley starts in the back row.
Ryan Matterson returns after missing last week's game with concussion to take his spot on the edge, with Isaac Liu joining the run-on side at lock and Frank-Paul Nuuausala on the bench.
Kickoff for Sunday's game is at 4:10pm AEST from Allianz Stadium in Sydney as Wests Tigers look to beat the Sydney Roosters twice in the same season for the first time since 2009.
WESTS TIGERS
1. Tuimoala Lolohea
2. David Nofoaluma
3. Esan Marsters
4. Mahe Fonua
5. Corey Thompson
6. Benji Marshall (capt.)
7. Luke Brooks
8. Russell Packer
9. Elijah Taylor — Plays 150th NRL game
10. Ben Matulino
11. Chris Lawrence
12. Michael Chee Kam
13. Matt Eisenhuth
Interchange:
14. Alex Twal
15. Josh Reynolds
16. Josh Aloiai
17. Tim Grant
Reserves:
18. Sauaso Sue
19. Chris McQueen
20. Pita Godinet
21. Kevin Naiqama
Coach: Ivan Cleary
SYDNEY ROOSTERS
1. Blake Ferguson
2. Daniel Tupou
3. Joseph Manu
4. Mitchell Aubusson
5. Matthew Ikuvalu
6. Luke Keary
7. Cooper Cronk
8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
9. Jake Friend (capt.)
10. Sio Siua Taukeiaho
11. Victor Radley
12. Ryan Matterson
13. Isaac Liu
Interchange:
14. Zane Tetevano
15. Frank-Paul Nuusuala
16. Kurt Baptiste
17. Nat Butcher
Reserves:
18. Poasa Faamausili
19. Lindsay Collins
20. Mitch Cornish
21. Paul Momirovski
Coach: Trent Robinson
