NRL teams and Late Mail for Round 8 of season 2018

BEVAN French admits he’ll have the words of his critics in his mind when Parramatta take on the Wests Tigers at ANZ Stadium Sunday — all the latest team news and changes.

BEVAN French admits he’ll have the words of his critics in his mind when Parramatta take on the Wests Tigers at ANZ Stadium.

Replaced by Jarryd Hayne last week after he struggled on return from his own shoulder injury against Canberra, French bore the brunt of frustrated Parramatta fans for his performance.

But with Hayne again injured, French is back one week later with fan feedback still fresh in his mind.

EELS V TIGERS

Sunday, 4.10pm at ANZ Stadium

Eels team: 1 Clint Gutherson (c), 2 Bevan French, 3 Michael Jennings, 4 Brad Takairangi, 5 George Jennings, 6 Corey Norman, 7 Mitchell Moses, 8 Daniel Alvaro, 9 Kaysa Pritchard, 10 Suaia Matagi, 11 Manu Ma’u, 12 Tony Williams, 13 Peni Terepo

Interchange: 14 Will Smith, 15 Kenny Edwards, 16 David Gower, 17 Tim Mannah (c)

Reserves: 18 Tepai Moeroa, 19 Kane Evans, 20 Josh Hoffman, 21 Cameron King

Players cut: To come

Late mail: Nathan Brown (ankle) has set his sights on a return in Round 9 against the Sharks. “Just trying to get it right for next week, that’s my aim,” Brown said. “It’s pretty frustrating, but it could be a lot worse. I’ve just got to try and get my body right for next week. This week was the plan but a couple of things didn’t go to plan. Now I’ve just got to aim for next week. Swelling hasn’t gone down a bit, it’s still pretty swollen so just trying my best to fix that up.”

— Fatima Kdouh

Tigers team: 1 Corey Thompson, 2 David Nofoaluma, 3 Esan Marsters, 4 Kevin Naiqama, 5 Malakai Watene-Zelezniak, 6 Benji Marshall (c), 7 Luke Brooks, 8 Matthew Eisenhuth, 9 Jacob Liddle, 10 Ben Matulino, 11 Chris Lawrence, 12 Robbie Rochow, 13 Elijah Taylor (c)

Interchange: 14 Pita Godinet, 15 Josh Aloiai, 16 Michael Chee-Kam, 17 Sauaso Sue

Reserves: 18 Tim Grant, 19 Chris McQueen, 20 Tyson Gamble, 21 Mahe Fonua

Players cut: To come

Late mail: Co-captain Chris Lawrence (hamstring) is confirmed to return, while Elijah Taylor (concussion) and Jacob Liddle (sternum) are also expected to play after failing to finish last week.

PODCAST! Bryce Cartwright is the shock winner from the team announcements. Tom Sangster is excited. Nick Campton is not.

Originally published as NRL teams and Late Mail for Round 8 of season 2018