Pre-Season Challenge squads: Sharks and Dragons go all in for the trials as key recruits audition for starting spots

Clint Gutherson and Damien Cook will don the famous Red V jersey for the first time after the veteran recruits were named in a strong squad for the Dragons in their Pre-Season Challenge game against the Roosters.

The co-captains headline a near full-strength side that includes key signings Valentine Holmes and Lachlan Ilias who partners Kyle Flanagan in the halves.

They face a Roosters side that has held back James Tedesco, but there’s plenty of intrigue around their backline with Dom Young named on the wing, with Robert Toia and Mark Nawaqanitawase picked in the centres.

Veteran halfback Chad Townsend will make his club debut alongside Sandon Smith, with Spencer Leniu to be unleashed in the starting side.

The Sharks have gone all out with Nicho Hynes and Braydon Trindall getting a crucial game in before they head to Las Vegas, while star recruit Addin Fonua-Blake will also play his first game for the club.

They face a Raiders side that has gone with Jamal Fogarty and Ethan Strange in the halves, with young gun Ethan Sanders named on an extended bench as he looks to build on last week’s encouraging performance against the premiers.

Fletcher Sharpe has been given first crack at five-eighth for the Knights where he’ll partner Jack Cogger, with Will Pryce named at fullback in place of Kalyn Ponga who is on All Stars duty.

They’ll face an Eels side featuring new fullback Isaiah Iongi, as well as Dylan Brown who is still deciding if he’ll remain at the club next year.

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck returns on the wing for the Warriors for the clash with the Storm in Hamilton replacing Dallin Watene-Zelezniak who has had surgery on a broken wrist which could keep him out of his team’s season opening clash in Las Vegas.

Melbourne will roll out key signing Stefano Utoikamanu to lead from the front with most of the grand final squad missing.

Englishman Lewis Dodd gets his first chance to impress Souths fans when he runs out against a Manly side that’s missing most of their big guns.

Tyson Smoothy will start at hooker for Brisbane, with exciting rookie Coby Black named on the bench and behemoth prop Ben Te Kura set to start against the Titans who have named David Fifita in the back row.

Jarome Luai and a few of the club’s other big names have been given the week off, but the Tigers have named Lachie Galvin as he looks to build on his incredible debut season.

And Kalyn Ponga will start at fullback for the Maori All Stars on Saturday night, with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to wear the No.1 jersey for an Indigenous side boasting plenty of speed.