NRL Team Update: Round 16

Wests Tigers Head Coach Ivan Cleary has updated his 19-man squad to take on the Gold Coast Titans tomorrow for their Round 16 clash at Leichhardt Oval.

Kickoff for the match is at 2:00pm AEST with live coverage available via FOX League.

After the stand-alone Representative Round last weekend, Cleary has confirmed two forward changes to the squad originally named during the week with Ben Matulino and Tim Grant both ruled out with injury.

Matulino, who has played every game for Wests Tigers this year, suffered an injury against the Raiders and it has been slow to respond this week. With the bye next week, the club has erred on the side of caution.

The 29-year-old is replaced in the run-on side by rising prop Alex Twal, who earns the first start of his career, while Grant drops out of the squad with Chris McQueen coming on to the bench in jersey 21.

Last week's NRL debutant Tyson Gamble and Robbie Rochow have been retained in the squad as reserves.

Esan Marsters (New Zealand), Kevin Naiqama (Fiji), Josh Aloiai (Samoa) and Michael Chee Kam (Samoa) have also been named after featuring throughout the Representative Round.

The return of Life Member Robbie Farah at hooker sees Elijah Taylor move back to lock and Matt Eisenhuth to the bench while Moses Mbye's arrival sees Corey Thompson shift to the wing. Malakai Watene-Zelezniak also retains his spot, while Naiqama shifts to the centres with Mahe Fonua (arm) out.

Josh Reynolds returns in another boost for the home side after missing last week with a hamstring injury; he links up with his former teammate in Mbye once more as Wests Tigers look to secure a crucial victory on Sunday and stay in touch with the top eight heading in to the Round 17 bye next weekend.

For the Titans, Coach Garth Brennan has confirmed an otherwise unchanged lineup with Kane Elgey and Bryce Cartwright dropping out of the squad — the latter of which suffered a broken hand this week.

Final team lists for both sides will be confirmed one hour prior to kickoff (1:00pm, Sunday).

WESTS TIGERS

1. Moses Mbye
2. Malakai Watene-Zelezniak
3. Esan Marsters
4. Kevin Naiqama
5. Corey Thompson
6. Josh Reynolds
7. Luke Brooks
8. Russell Packer
9. Robbie Farah
14. Alex Twal
11. Chris Lawrence
12. Josh Aloiai
13. Elijah Taylor (capt.)

Interchange:
15. Sauaso Sue
16. Michael Chee Kam
17. Matt Eisenhuth
21. Chris McQueen

Reserves:
18. Tyson Gamble
19. Robbie Rochow

Coach: Ivan Cleary

GOLD COAST TITANS

1. Michael Gordon
2. Anthony Don
3. Dale Copley
4. Brenko Lee
5. Phillip Sami
6. AJ Brimson
7. Ashley Taylor
8. Jarrod Wallace
9. Nathan Peats
10. Ryan James (capt.)
11. Kevin Proctor
12. Keegan Hipgrave
13. Jai Arrow

Interchange:
14. Mitch Rein
15. Will Matthews
16. Moeaki Fotuaika
17. Jack Stockwell

Reserves:
18 Morgan Boyle
19. Konrad Hurrell
22. Leilaniu Latu

Coach: Garth Brennan