Latrell Mitchell and a host of superstar fullbacks named to play in the final week of pre-season trials

After a slew of big names sat in the sidelines last week the wait is over for NRL fans with the star power injected for the final week of trial games including one of the game’s best.

Latrell Mitchell is back for the Bunnies for the first time since last July after he was named in a strong squad for Saturday’s annual Charity Shield clash against a Dragons side that will unleash a couple of former Souths stars.

Mitchell missed last week’s All Stars game through suspension but is back on deck after a foot injury ended his 2024 campaign.

Englishman Lewis Dodd will again start at halfback against the man he replaced at the Rabbitohs, with Lachlan Ilias to line up for the Red V for the second time in the space of a week.

Latrell Mitchell returns for South Sydney in this weekend’s Charity Shield. Picture: Rabbitohs Digital

He’ll be keen to get one over his old side and will build on his combination with Kyle Flanagan who was outstanding in the win over the Roosters.

Mitchell isn’t the only high-profile fullback set to play this weekend with the Broncos naming Reece Walsh for the first time this pre-season, while James Tedesco and Kalyn Ponga will clash in Gosford.

All the big guns are back for the Roosters with Mark Nawaqanitawase again named at left centre, while Fletcher Sharpe remains at five-eighth at the Knights, with Phoenix Crossland starting at hooker ahead of Jayden Brailey who’s on the bench.

There’s still no Jarome Luai for the Tigers, but fans will get to see new recruit Terrell May for the first time after he was named to take on an Eels side that features Zac Lomax at centre.

Brisbane’s experienced halves pairing of Ben Hunt and Adam Reynolds will combine for the first time, with Selwyn Cobbo named on a wing and Patrick Carrigan moving to prop to accommodate Kobe Hetherington at lock.

James Tedesco is back to lead the Roosters this weekend as they look to find some spark in attack heading into the new season. Picture: Rohan Kelly

They face a Bulldogs team that has Blake Wilson and Marcelo Montoya on the wings, with skipper Stephen Crichton and Matt Burton headlining a very strong squad.

Max Plath has been named in the back row for the Dolphins with Tom Gilbert at lock and Kurt Donoghoe set to start at hooker against a Titans side that has included plenty of its starters on an extended bench.

And the Storm will unleash members of their star-studded spine with Cameron Munster and Harry Grant set to start, while Ryan Papenhuyzen will come off the bench for the game against North Queensland.

The Cowboys have named a very strong squad with Tom Duffy picked to partner Tom Dearden in the halves, while Jaxon Purdue has been selected in the centres as the club looks to settle on Valentine Holmes’ replacement.