Fullback Sam Tomkins has been confirmed to make his return for the Vodafone Warriors in their 15th-round NRL clash against the Gold Coast Titans at Cbus Super Stadium in Robina tonight (5.30pm kick-off local time, 7.30pm NZT).
The England international had a stint on the side-line with a PCL knee injury picked up in the third-round clash against Parramatta at Mount Smart Stadium on March 21.
In his comeback appearance against Newcastle on May 31 he aggravated the injury although he played out the contest helping the Vodafone Warriors to a 24-20 win.
While there was optimism he would play again in each of the last two games against South Sydney and the Sydney Roosters he was ultimately ruled out both times despite being named.
Tomkins wasn’t originally selected to face the Titans but trained well during the week and also came through a light run after the team arrived on the Gold Coast yesterday to clear the way for his return tonight. He’ll start at fullback in jersey No 20 replacing Tuimoala Lolohea.
There are also two changes to the starting forward pack announced on Tuesday.
Origin representatives Jacob Lillyman and Ryan Hoffman have both been confirmed but they will be on the interchange bench resulting in Sebastine Ikahihifo starting in Lillyman’s place in the front row and Raymond Faitala-Mariner in the second row for Hoffman.
Lillyman and Hoffman join Siliva Havili and Charlie Gubb on the interchange.
GOLD COAST TITANS v VODAFONE WARRIORS
Cbus Super Stadium, Robina
5.30pm, Saturday, June 20
Referees: Matt Cecchin and Gavin Reynolds
VODAFONE WARRIORS
20 SAM TOMKINS
2 KEN MAUMALO
3 KONRAD HURRELL
4 SOLOMONE KATA
5 MANU VATUVEI
6 CHAD TOWNSEND
7 SHAUN JOHNSON
15 SEBASTINE IKAHIHIFO
9 NATHAN FRIEND
10 BEN MATULINO
11 BODENE THOMPSON
16 RAYMOND FAITALA-MARINER
13 SIMON MANNERING (c)
Interchange:
8 JACOB LILLYMAN
12 RYAN HOFFMAN
14 SILIVA HAVILI
17 CHARLIE GUBB
HEAD COACH: ANDREW McFADDEN
