Crichton set for 'Dogs debut as big names return

Star recruit Stephen Crichton is set to make his first appearance for the Bulldogs, while Kalyn Ponga, Shaun Johnson and Tino Fa'asuamaleaui have all been named to play in Week 2 of the Pre-Season Challenge.

Crichton, who scored a try in each of his four grand finals with Penrith, has been named in the centres for Friday night's clash with the Sharks at Belmore Sports Ground.

Arguably the NRL's biggest off-season signing, the Samoa international will line up alongside fellow Canterbury recruits Blake Taaffe, Drew Hutchison, Jaeman Salmon, Kurt Mann and Josh Curran.

Taaffe will remain at fullback with Crichton to partner Bronson Xerri in the centres after the former Sharks star's stunning return in last week's defeat of the Storm after serving a four-year doping ban. 

Fijian strike forward Viliame Kikau - one of four ex-Panthers in the Bulldogs side, along with Crichton, Salmon and five-eighth Matt Burton - will make his first appearance of the season in the second row.

Hutchison will again partner Burton at the scrum base in an indication that he is likely to be given first shot at the No.7 jersey for Round 1 ahead of Toby Sexton.

Salmon has been named at lock, while Mann, who is set to play as a middle forward, is set to make his first appearance for Canterbury from the interchange, alongside Curran.

The Sharks have also named an almost full strength line-up, with fullback Will Kennedy (hamstring) set to play his first game since Round 22 and halves Nicho Hynes and Braydon Trindall back from All Stars duty, along with prop Royce Hunt.

Winger Ronaldo Mulitalo, centres Jesse Ramien and Siosifa Talakai, hooker Blayke Brailey, second-rower Briton Nikora and prop Toby Rudolf will also make their first appearances of the season for the Sharks.

Meanwhile, Ponga will travel to Fiji to captain the Knights in Saturday's match against the Storm, who are set to be bolstered by the return of Will Warbrick, Xavier Coates, Nick Meaney and Tui Kamikamica. 

However, Cameron Munster has again been rested by Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy.

Johnson was named in the Warriors team to host the Dolphins on Sunday after overcoming a pre-season ankle injury and he will partner Luke Metcalfe in the halves.

Former Queensland Origin utility Kurt Capewell will make his first appearance for the Warriors, while Addin Fonua-Blake, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Tohu Harris have also been named.

New Titans coach Des Hasler has also named a strong line-up to take on the Eels in Ipswich on Sunday, with AJ Brimson, Kieran Foran, Moeaki Fotuaika and Fa'asuamaleaui set to play.

Eels captain Clint Gutherson, halves Mitch Moses and Dylan Brown, winger Maika Sivo and props Junior Paulo and Reagan Campbell-Gillard have all been named after missing last weekend's match against Canberra.

Raiders recruits Morgan Smithies and Zac Hoskings will make their first appearances in a lime green jersey in Sunday's match against the Cowboys, who will field their strongest available team.

Chad Townsend, Griffin Neame, Jason Taumalolo, Jeremiah Nanai, Murray Taulagi, Reece Robson, Reuben Cotter, Scott Drinkwater, Tom Dearden and Val Holmes are among the North Queensland stars playing their first match of the season.

Kumuls international Zac Laybutt appears to be in line to win the centre spot vacated by former Kiwis star Peta Hiku, who has moved to Super League, after being selected for the match at Canberra's spiritual home, Seiffert Oval.

Representative stars Elliott Whitehead, Hudson Young, Josh Papali'i and Matt Timoko will also play for the Raiders but halfback Jamaal Fogarty has not been named.

Dragons coach Shane Flanagan has stuck with the starting side from last Saturday night's Charity Shield loss to Souths for Sunday's match against Wests Tigers, with Kiwi international Raymond Faitala-Mariner named on the bench.

PNG star Justin Olam will make his first appearance for Wests Tigers in the Mudgee clash.