TRENT Merrin is back in the starting team after three weeks on the bench.
Merrin, who leaves the club at season's end to join Penrith, has been named at lock for the St George Illawarra Dragons' clash against Manly on Saturday at WIN Stadium, Wollongong.
Merrin came off the bench to inspire the team with strong running and scored a try in the team's come-from-behind 22-20 win over Canberra on Saturday in Canberra.
Coach Paul McGregor has stated in recent weeks that Merrin's selection as an interchange forward had nothing to do with Merrin signing with Penrith.
He preferred to save Merrin's entry until the middle stages of a first half which McGregor felt suited the team's approach when the front-rowers tired and were swapped.
However, McGregor's decision to start Merrin essentially gives the Dragons three starting props with him, Leeson Ah Mau and Mike Cooper to combat a monster-size Manly pack.
Coach Paul McGregor has added George Rose to the squad, selecting 18 players, with one to be omitted.
Rose missed last Saturday's Canberra game because of the birth of his first child, a boy.
The Dragons have stood down centre Dane Nielsen for disciplinary reasons.
In a statement the Dragons said: "Dane Nielsen has not been named in any team this week due to a breach of the club's code of conduct and the NRL Integrity Unit has been informed."
DRAGONS
Josh Dugan, Eto Nabuli, Euan Aitken, Dylan Farrell, Jason Nightingale, Gareth Widdop, Benji Marshall, Leeson Ah Mau, Mitch Rein, Mike Cooper, Tyson Frizell, Joel Thompson, Trent Merrin, Interchange: Rory O’Brien, Jack de Belin, Jake Marketo, Heath L’Estrange, George Rose.