Parramatta Eels: 2020 round 1 predicted team

In a series analysing who will line up in each position for all 16 teams in the opening round of the Telstra Premiership in 2020, NRL.com looks at the resurgent Parramatta Eels.

NRL.com says: Michael Jennings and Waqa Blake are the centres with the versatile Brad Takairangi starting from the bench. Ryan Matterson is a straight swap for Manu Ma'u and Reagan Campbell-Gillard likely starts in what is otherwise a fairly settled forward pack.

Freshly re-signed young prop Oregon Kaufusi will keep the heat on Dan Alvaro and Kane Evans.

Jamie Soward says: Start Nathan Brown at prop so Reagan Campbell-Gillard can come off the bench, Matterson can play lock and Niukore can start in the second row.

I've got a bench of RCG, Alvaro, Evans and Peni Terepo which would be frankly scary for opposition teams but if you wanted more utility value Takairangi could take the last spot from Terepo.