Christian Welch, Jarrod Wallace and Tim Glasby fighting to replace Jai Arrow and Joe Ofahengaue in Origin II

Three forwards are locked in a battle to replace the injured Jai Arrow in Queensland’s pack as the Maroons look to turn the screws on New South Wales

Three players are in contention for the Queensland pack.

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• INJURED: Arrow out for Origin II

Queensland trio Tim Glasby, Jarrod Wallace and Christian Welch have surged into the frame for Origin II after Maroons ironman Jai Arrow was ruled out for the rest of the series.

Scans confirmed Arrow suffered significant ankle ligament damage after he hobbled off in the 28th minute of the Titans’ 24-20 loss to the Warriors at Cbus Super Stadium on Friday night.

Arrow was Queensland’s starting prop in their 18-14 defeat of NSW in the series opener last Wednesday week and the Maroons will sorely miss his aggression and workrate.

The 23-year-old is set to undergo surgery with Arrow facing between six to 12 weeks on the sidelines.

Even the best-case scenario rules him out of Origin II next Sunday night in Perth and Game Three on July 10 at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium in a devastating blow for the Maroons.

Queensland coach Kevin Walters flies out for Perth on Sunday confronting two injury-enforced changes as his side looks to reclaim the Origin shield in the historic return bout at the 60,000-seat Optus Stadium.

Wallace has played three Origin matches in the past. Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images.

Arrow is joined in the casualty ward by Maroons prop Joe Ofahengaue, who suffered a nasty gash to his knee in his Origin debut at Suncorp Stadium.

Arrow’s absence opens the door for his good mate at the Titans Jarrod Wallace, who was axed for Origin I but was strong in Friday night’s loss to the Warriors, amassing 164 metres from 21 hit-ups.

The Sunday Mail understands Newcastle veteran Tim Glasby - Queensland’s 18th man in Game One - will be called up first with Storm prop Christian Welch vying with Wallace for the second vacant berth.

Bulldogs hitman Dylan Napa, who started off the bench in Origin I, is set to be promoted into the starting side to replace Arrow in a front-row alliance with Josh Papalii.

The Maroons bench will comprise Moses Mbye, David Fifita and Glasby with Welch or Wallace to claim the 17th and final spot for Origin II.

Tim Glasby is undefeated at Origin level. Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images.

While the loss of Arrow for the Maroons is significant, Walters is confident in the depth of his forward stocks to finish off the Blues in the wild west.

Glasby has played three games for Queensland in the 2017-18 campaigns, while Wallace has compiled five Origin matches over the same period.

“It’s disappointing for Jai but we have a very good squad of players,” Walters said.

“It’s a shame to lose Joe as well but Tim was our 18th man for Game One and he has done a fine job for us in the past.

Welch has been on the fringe of selection for some time. AAP Image/David Rowland.

“Jarrod has always been in the mix and so has Christian Welch.

“Jarrod was very good for the Titans the other night and I have been really happy with the character he has shown since missing out on Origin I.”

Barring any other mishaps, the Maroons will field the same backline which drew first blood at Suncorp Stadium.

LIKELY TEAM

Kalyn Ponga, Corey Oates, Michael Morgan, Will Chambers, Dane Gagai, Cameron Munster, Daly Cherry-Evans (c), Dylan Napa, Ben Hunt, Josh Papalii, Felise Kaufusi, Matt Gillett, Josh McGuire. Bench: Moses Mbye, Tim Glasby, David Fifita, Jarrod Wallace/Christian Welch.