Teams have been announced for Round 4 of the 2022 NRL season with Panthers star Nathan Cleary’s return from shoulder surgery confirmed for the grand final rematch against South Sydney on Friday night.

Cleary was close to making a return last week but Penrith opted to give him another week to prepare for the blockbuster against the Bunnies at BlueBet Stadium.

Representative forwards James Fisher-Harris (shoulder) and Liam Martin (hip) have been included in the extended squad but will need to pass fitness tests to be late inclusions. NSW coach Brad Fittler said on Wide World of Sports it looked like the Panthers were “playing shenanigans” with JFH and Martin and expected them to be part of the game-day 17.

Cowboys prop Coen Hess is out of Saturday’s night’s stoush with the Roosters due to a shoulder injury with Jamayne Taunoa-Brown replacing him in the game-day 17.

The visitors will be without coach Trent Robinson for Saturday night’s tussle in Townsville with the Cowboys after he tested positive to COVID-19 on Tuesday.

Warriors halfback Shaun Johnson is also set to make a comeback from injury in his team’s Saturday stoush with Brisbane at Redcliffe. The veteran playmaker was supposed to be out for another week or two with a pectoral strain but has been named on the extended bench.

The Titans have suffered a blow before Thursday night’s clash with the Tigers with veteran forward Isaac Liu ruled out with COVID.

Suspensions to Knights forward Mitch Barnett, who was referred straight to the judiciary, and Dragons second-rower Jaydn Su’A have also forced line-up changes.

The NRL announced that St George Illawarra prop George Burgess, who was withdrawn from their squad last week, would not be stood down on an ongoing basis despite facing a charge of sexual touching without consent following an incident in Sydney earlier this month. He has been named on the reserves bench in the No.24 jersey.

Round 4 teams

Thursday

Titans v Tigers at Cbus Super Stadium, 7.05pm (8.05pm AEDT)

Titans

With young fullback Jayden Campbell out with a rib injury, coach Justin Holbrook has brought in recent recruit Jamayne Isaako. Corey Thompson has been named to make his first start of our 2022 campaign, after recovering from a hand injury that has kept him out of the first three rounds. Thompson is named on the wing and will replace Phillip Sami, who will miss the game due to COVID protocols.

Isaac Liu is also out with COVID, replaced in the starting side by Jaimin Jolliffe, with Jarrod Wallace promoted to the interchange.

1. Jamayne Isaako 2. Corey Thompson 3. Brian Kelly 4. Patrick Herbert 5. Greg Marzhew 6. AJ Brimson 7. Toby Sexton 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Erin Clark 10. Isaac Liu 16. Jaimin Jolliffe 11. David Fifita 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui

Interchange: 14. Will Smith 15. Sam Lisone 17. Kevin Proctor 18. Jarrod Wallace 19. Esan Marsters 20. Sam McIntyre 21. Paul Turner 22. Sosefo Fifita 23. Tony Francis 24. Jacob Allick

Tigers: The only winless team in the NRL is desperate to break their duck after a controversial loss to the Warriors last Friday. James Roberts (quad), Ken Maumalo (ankle) and Kelma Tuilagi (head knock) return to the side. Stefano Utoikamanu has undergone ankle surgery and is expected to miss 6-8 weeks.

1. Daine Laurie 2. David Nofoaluma 3. James Roberts 4. Oliver Gildart 5. Ken Maumalo 6. Jock Madden 7. Luke Brooks 8. James Tamou 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Zane Musgrove 11. Kelma Tuilagi 12. Luciano Leilua 13. Joe Ofahengaue

Interchange: 14. Tyrone Peachey 15. Alex Twal 16. Luke Garner 17. Alex Seyfarth 18. Thomas Mikaele 19. Starford To’a 20. Jake Simpkin 21. Austin Dias 22. Tukimihia Simpkins 23. Junior Tupou 24. Ruatapu Ngatikaura

Friday

Sharks v Knights at PointsBet Stadium, 6pm

Sharks

With winger Ronaldo Mulitalo available after sitting out last week with a head knock, he replaces Matt Ikuvalu (ankle). Centre Connor Tracey has also been ruled out with a groin problem, meaning Siosifa Talakai switches to centre. Second-rower Teig Wilton returns from suspension. Aiden Tolman will play his 300th NRL game after previous stints at the Storm and Bulldogs.

1. Will Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Matt Moylan 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Braden Hamlin-Uele 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Dale Finucane

Interchange: 14. Aiden Tolman 15. Cameron McInnes 16. Braydon Trindall 17. Andrew Fifita 18. Mawene Hiroti 19. Jack Williams 20. Luke Metcalf 21. Royce Hunt 22. Lachlan Miller 23. Jenson Taumoepeau 24. Franklin Pele

Knights

Mitch Barnett’s suspension means coach Adam O’Brien has been forced to make some changes. Brodie Jones has been named to make his first start of the season in the second-row after overcoming a thigh injury as well as COVID-19. Kalyn Ponga, who has missed the past two matches with a knee problem, has been listed to play at fullback.

1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Enari Tuala 6. Jake Clifford 7. Adam Clune 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Chris Randall 10. Daniel Saifiti 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Brodie Jones 13. Kurt Mann

Interchange: 14. Phoenix Crossland 15. Jirah Momoisea 16. Leo Thompson 17. Sauaso Sue 18. Simi Sasagi 19. Tex Hoy 20. Edrick Lee 21. Mathew Croker 22. Pasami Saulo 23. Dylan Lucas 24. Brayden Musgrove

Panthers v Rabbitohs at BlueBet Stadium, 8.05pm

Panthers

Nathan Cleary is back in the No.7 jersey after being named on the extended reserves last week and then withdrawing before game day. Representative forwards James Fisher-Harris (shoulder) and Liam Martin (hip) have been included in the extended squad but will need to pass fitness tests to be late inclusions.

Sean O’Sullivan was not selected in the squad due to a minor foot complaint.

1. Dylan Edwards 2. Charlie Staines 3. Izack Tago 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Taylan May 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Matt Eisenhuth 9. Api Koroisau 10. Spencer Leniu 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Scott Sorensen 13. Isaah Yeo

Interchange: 14. Mitch Kenny 15. J’maine Hopgood 16. Lindsay Smith 17. Jaeman Salmon 18. Robert Jennings 19. Liam Martin 20. Soni Luke 21. Eddie Blacker 22. Christian Crichton 23. Kurt Falls 24. James Fisher-Harris

Rabbitohs

After their breakthrough win over the Roosters last Friday, the Bunnies now turn to getting whatever revenge they can from their grand final nemesis. They have retained the same squad from Round 3. Blake Taaffe has been listed as 18th man after missing the first three rounds with an ankle injury and could get a late call-up to the game-day side.

1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Taane Milne 4. Campbell Graham 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Mark Nicholls 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Cameron Murray

Interchange: 14. Jacob Host 15. Siliva Havili 16. Thomas Burgess 17. Liam Knight 18. Blake Taaffe 19. Davvy Moale 20. Josh Mansour 21. Richard Kennar 22. Dean Hawkins 23. Isaiah Tass 24. Peter Mamouzelos

#24 ????

Read: https://t.co/hWHAuJQDfl#TeamListTuesday with @nzherald pic.twitter.com/WHhuJYENaU

— Vodafone Warriors (@NZWarriors) March 29, 2022

Saturday

Warriors v Broncos at Moreton Daily Stadium, 2pm (3pm AEDT)

Warriors

Shaun Johnson is a chance of making an early return from a pectoral strain. He has been named on the extended reserves and could start in the halves ahead of Chanel Harris-Tavita or Kodi Nikorima. Fellow playmaker Ash Taylor is still out with hip damage.

Interchange forward Bayley Sironen (COVID) is out until next week.

1. Reece Walsh 2. Adam Pompey 3. Jesse Arthars 4 Rocco Berry 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Kodi Nikorima 8. Addin Fonua-Blake (c) 9. Wayde Egan 10. Matt Lodge 11. Euan Aitken 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Josh Curran

Interchange: 14. Jazz Tevaga 15. Bunty Afoa 16. Aaron Pene 17. Jack Murchie 18. Taniela Otukolo, 20. Ben Murdoch-Masila 21. Pride Petterson-Robati 22. Valingi Kepu 23. Junior Ratuva 24. Shaun Johnson 25. Edward Kosi

Broncos

The rib injury to forward Jordan Riki means he is under a cloud but has been named. Maroons forward Kurt Capewell has a calf problem and is on the reserves. Thomas Flegler is back from a ban from last season on the interchange. Ryan James has been promoted to the starting side. TC Robati returns on the bench with Corey Jensen dropping to the reserves.

1. Tesi Niu 2. Corey Oates 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Albert Kelly 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Ryan James 9. Jake Turpin 10. Payne Haas 11. Keenan Palasia 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan

Interchange: 14. Thomas Flegler 15. Kobe Hetherington 16. TC Robati 17. Billy Walters 18. David Mead 19. Rhys Kennedy 20. Corey Jensen 21. Jordan Pereira 22. Cory Paix 23. Brenko Lee 24. Kurt Capewell

Sea Eagles v Raiders at Glen Willow Oval, Mudgee, 5.30pm

Sea Eagles

After their one-point win over Canterbury lifted them from the bottom of the ladder, Manly welcome back prop Josh Aloiai from suspension, who has not played at all this year. He is in the reserves with the game-day 17 unchanged.

1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Brad Parker 4. Morgan Harper 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Kieran Foran 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Sean Keppie 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Martin Taupau 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Andrew Davey 13. Jake Trbojevic

Interchange: 14. Dylan Walker 15. Karl Lawton 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Taniela Paseka 18. Toafofoa Sipley 19. Josh Aloiai 20. Tolutau Koula 21. Jorge Taufua 22. Kurt De Luis 23. Christian Tuipulotu 24. Alec Tuitavake

The Canberra Raiders have named their squad to take on the Sea Eagles this weekend

Team List: https://t.co/JJKjwpVEfP#WeAreRaiders pic.twitter.com/sCem3WSKgD

— Canberra Raiders (@RaidersCanberra) March 29, 2022

Raiders

Following their comeback win over the Titans last week, Canberra have named Nick Cotric on the wing after he sat out the past two weeks with a thigh injury.

1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Nick Cotric 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Semi Valemei 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Jack Wighton 7. Brad Schneider 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Corey Harawira-Naera 13. Elliott Whitehead

Interchange: 14. Matt Frawley 15. Emre Guler 16. Adam Elliott 17. Corey Horsburgh 18. Xavier Savage 19. Ryan Sutton 20. Adrian Trevilyan 21. James Schiller 22. Sam Williams 23. Trey Mooney 24. Peter Hola

Cowboys v Roosters at QCB Stadium, 6.35pm (7.35pm AEDT)

Cowboys

The only sour note to their win over the Broncos in Brisbane was a shoulder injury suffered by prop Coen Hess. He is out with Jamayne Taunoa-Brown replacing him in the game-day 17.

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Peta Hiku 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Coen Hess 11. Tom Gilbert 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Jason Taumalolo

Interchange: 14. Jake Granville 15. Heilum Luki 16. Reuben Cotter 17. Griffin Neame 18. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 19. Scott Drinkwater 20. Connelly Lemuelu 21. Brendan Elliot 22. Ben Condon 23. Emry Pere 24. Daejarn Asi

Roosters

With Trent Robinson forced into isolation after contracting COVID-19, assistant coach Jason Ryles will take the reins for the first time at NRL level. Daniel Suluka-Fifita replacing Fletcher Baker on the bench is the only player change.

1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Paul Momirovski 4. Joseph Manu 5. Billy Smith 6. Sam Walker 7. Luke Keary 8. Lindsay Collins 9. Connor Watson 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Nat Butcher 12. Sitili Tupouniua 13. Victor Radley

Interchange: 14. Drew Hutchison 15. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 16. Angus Crichton 17. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 18. Naufahu Whyte 19. Renouf Atoni 20. Lachlan Lam 21. Freddy Lussick 22. Kevin Naiqama 23. Adam Keighran 24. Tukupa Hau Tapuha

An update on our Head Coach ????

Statement – https://t.co/778HOdqsVE#EastsToWin

— Sydney Roosters ???? (@sydneyroosters) March 29, 2022

Sunday

Storm v Bulldogs at AAMI Park, 4.05pm

Storm

Speedy winger Xavier Coates is being hampered by a hamstring injury but has been named to play. Harry Grant’s return from COVID means Brandon Smith heads back to the bench and Nick Meaney and Chris Lewis have been relegated to the reserves.

1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Dean Ieremia 3. Reimis Smith 4. Justin Olam 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Harry Grant 10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenny Bromwich 13. Josh King

Interchange: 14. Brandon Smith 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Trent Loiero 17. Tepai Moeroa 18. Chris Lewis 19. Nick Meaney 20. Jayden Nikorima 21. William Warbrick 22. Marion Seve 23. Tyran Wishart 24. Sualauvi Faalogo

Bulldogs

Second-rower Jack Hetherington has been sidelined long term after suffering a serious shoulder injury in their loss to Manly on the weekend. Corey Waddell has been promoted to the run-on side to fill the gap.

1. Matt Dufty 2. Braidon Burns 3. Aaron Schoupp 4. Brent Naden 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 7. Brandon Wakeham 8. Luke Thompson 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Paul Vaughan 11. Corey Waddell 12. Tevita Pangai Junior 13. Josh Jackson

Interchange: 14. Bailey Biondi-Odo 15. Chris Patolo 16. Max King 17. Ava Seumanufagai 19. Reece Hoffman 20. Jake Averillo 21. Joe Stimson 22. Kyle Flanagan 23. Jayden Okunbor 24. Josh Cook 25. Jackson Topine

Big name BACK ????

Team List v Dragons ???? https://t.co/ne5Ody2Ljb#PARRAdise #NRLEelsDragons

— Parramatta Eels (@TheParraEels) March 29, 2022

Eels v Dragons at CommBank Stadium, 6.15pm

Eels

The loss of Ray Stone for the rest of the year with a torn ACL is a blow to Parramatta’s forward depth. Ryan Matterson (hamstring) is hopeful of making a return this weekend.

1. Clint Gutherson 2. Waqa Blake 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Tom Opacic 5. Bailey Simonsson 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Isaiah Papali’i 13. Nathan Brown

Interchange: 14. Makahesi Makatoa 15. Ryan Matterson 16. Bryce Cartwright 17. Oregon Kaufusi 18. Mitch Rein 19. Wiremu Greig 20. Hayze Perham 21. Ky Rodwell 22. Solomone Naiduki 23. Samuel Loizou 24. Elie El Zakhem

Dragons

The absence of Jaydn Su’A due to a high tackle suspension and winger Cody Ramsey’s hamstring problem have forced Anthony Griffin to shuffle his line-up. Mat Feagai is in for Ramsey and Jack Gosiewski will start instead of Su’A in the second row.

1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Talatau Amone 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Moses Mbye 10. Blake Lawrie 11. Jack Bird 12. Jack Gosiewski 13. Tariq Sims

Interchange: 14. Jack de Belin 15. Josh Kerr 16. Jackson Ford 17. Aaron Woods 18. Tautau Moga 19. Poasa Faamausili 20. Daniel Alvaro 21. Andrew McCullough 22. Jaiyden Hunt 23. Jonathon Reuben 24. George Burgess