Million-dollar NRL reject Ash Taylor has landed the perfect redemption story, offered the chance to play against the club that cut him adrift just months ago.
Taylor will wear the No.7 jumper for the Warriors when they take on Gold Coast at Cbus Super Stadium on Saturday.
Taylor, 26, played 114 games in six seasons with the Titans, but was dumped from the team and then left the Queensland club last year.
READ MORE: Records fall as Aussie star claims $5 million win
READ MORE: All Blacks star eyes surprise NRL switch
READ MORE: Lewis Hamilton wants to change his name
READ MORE: Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson spearhead rampaging Aussies
He was pocketing near enough to $1 million a season from Gold Coast – their highest paid player before David Fifita joined on $1.25 million last year.
But Taylor has so far failed to reach the heights expected of him. His NRL career was well and truly in limbo before the Warriors snapped him up on a cut-price deal.
An injury to Shaun Johnson opened a spot in the Warriors team for Round 2, and Taylor has been named to partner Chanel Harris-Tavita against the Titans.
Stream the NRL Premiership 2022 live and free on 9Now.
THURSDAY
Melbourne Storm vs South Sydney Rabbitohs at AAMI Park, 8.05pm
Storm: 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. Kenneath Bromwich 13. Josh King 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Trent Loiero 17. Tepai Moeroa 18. Chris Lewis 19. Nick Meaney 20. Bronson Garlick 21. Jayden Nikorima 22. Jonah Pezet 23. Jack Howarth 24. William Warbrick
Analysis: Christian Welch and George Jennings are out for the year, while Brandon Smith is sidelined for a number of weeks after respective Round 1 injuries. Young flyer Dean Ieremia comes onto the wing, Harry Grant moves to hooker, while Nelson Asofa-Solomona comes into the front row from the bench. Alex MacDonald comes onto the bench, while Cameron Munster returns from suspension to line up at five-eighth.
Rabbitohs: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Jaxson Paulo 4. Campbell Graham 5. Taane Milne 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Mark Nicholls 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Cameron Murray 14. Jacob Host 15. Siliva Havili 16. Thomas Burgess 17. Michael Chee Kam 18. Davvy Moale 19. Josh Mansour 20. Liam Knight 21. Richard Kennar 22. Peter Mamouzelos 23. Isaiah Tass 24. Dean Hawkins
Analysis: Latrell Mitchell returns from suspension to line up at fullback, pushing Alex Johnston to the wing and Josh Mansour out of the team.
FRIDAY
St George Illawarra Dragons vs Penrith Panthers at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, 6pm
Dragons: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Cody Ramsey 3. Moses Suli 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Talatau Amone 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 19. Andrew McCullough 10. Blake Lawrie 11. Jack Bird 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack de Belin 14. Moses Mbye 15. Josh Kerr 16. Jack Gosiewski 17. George Burgess 18. Jackson Ford 20. Tariq Sims 21. Mathew Feagai 22. Daniel Alvaro 23. Poasa Faamausili 24. Tautau Moga 25. Jaiyden Hunt
Analysis: The Dragons have retired the No.9 jersey in honour of Norm Provan, which is why Andrew McCullough will wear No.19. George Burgess comes into the team on the bench.
Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Charlie Staines 3. Izack Tago 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Sean O’Sullivan 8. Spencer Leniu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Mitch Kenny 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Matthew Eisenhuth 17. Jaeman Salmon 18. J’maine Hopgood 19. Chris Smith 20. Robert Jennings 21. Taylan May 22. Lindsay Smith 23. Soni Luke 24. Kurt Falls
Analysis: Moses Leota is out injured for a number of weeks. Matt Eisenhuth comes onto the bench.
Sydney Roosters vs Manly Sea Eagles at SCG, 8.05pm
Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Joseph Manu 5. Paul Momirovski 6. Sam Walker 7. Luke Keary 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Connor Watson 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Sitili Tupouniua 13. Victor Radley 14. Drew Hutchison 15. Fletcher Baker 16. Nat Butcher 17. Siosiua Taukeiaho 18. Kevin Naiqama 19. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 20. Lachlan Lam 21. Naufahu Whyte 22. Adam Keighran 23. Renouf Atoni 24. Ben Marschke
Analysis: The Roosters have stuck solid despite being well beaten by the Knights in Round 1.
Sea Eagles: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Brad Parker 4. Morgan Harper 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Kieran Foran 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Toafofoa Sipley 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Martin Taupau 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ethan Bullemor 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Dylan Walker 15. Karl Lawton 16. Sean Keppie 17. Taniela Paseka 18. Morgan Boyle 19. Andrew Davey 20. Tolutau Koula 21. Jorge Taufua 22. Alec Tuitavake 23. Christian Tuipulotu 24. James Roumanos
Analysis: Dylan Walker is back and young speedster Tolu Koula makes way on the bench.
SATURDAY
Gold Coast Titans vs Warriors at Cbus Super Stadium, 3pm
Titans: 1. Jayden Campbell 2. Phillip Sami 3. Brian Kelly 4. Patrick Herbert 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Alexander Brimson 7. Toby Sexton 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Erin Clark 10. Isaac Liu 11. David Fifita 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 14. Will Smith 15. Sam Lisone 16. Jaimin Jolliffe 17. Kevin Proctor 18. Jarrod Wallace 19. Tanah Boyd 20. Herman Ese’ese 21. Esan Marsters 22. Sam McIntyre 23. Paul Turner 24. Sosefo Fifita
Analysis: AJ Brimson returns after being a late withdrawal last week. Will Smith drops back to the bench.
Warriors: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Adam Pompey 3. Jesse Arthars 4. Rocco Berry 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Ashley Taylor 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Matt Lodge 11. Euan Aitken 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Josh Curran 14. Jazz Tevaga 15. Bunty Afoa 16. Aaron Pene 17. Bayley Sironen 18. Kodi Nikorima 20. Ben Murdoch-Masila 21. Jack Murchie 22. Pride Petterson-Robati 23. Taniela Otukolo 24. Junior Ratuva 25. Edward Kosi
Analysis: Ash Taylor makes a surprise return to the NRL, lining up in the halves after the injury to Shaun Johnson in Round 1. Taylor takes on the club that cut him loose only a few months ago in the Titans. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and rookie centre Viliami Vailea were also injured in the opening game. Reece Walsh returns from suspension, pushing Chanel Harris-Tavita back to the halves, while Jesse Arthars comes into the backline.
Cronulla Sharks vs Parramatta Eels at PointsBet Stadium, 5.30pm
Sharks: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Ronaldo Mulitalo 5. Matt Ikuvalu 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 14. Aiden Tolman 15. Siosifa Talakai 16. Royce Hunt 17. Andrew Fifita 18. Luke Metcalf 19. Cameron McInnes 20. Connor Tracey 21. Jenson Taumoepeau 22. Lachlan Miller 23. Jayden Berrell 24. Franklin Pele
Analysis: Their coach returns from his COVID-19 layoff.
Eels: 1. Clinton 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. Oregon Kaufusi 14. Makahesi Makatoa 15. Bryce Cartwright 16. Ray Stone 17. Nathan Brown 18. Jakob Arthur 19. Mitch Rein 20. Ky Rodwell 21. Hayze Perham 22. Wiremu Greig 23. Solomone Naiduki 24. Samuel Loizou
Analysis: Young winger Sean Russell is out indefinitely with broken ribs and Ryan Matterson is also in the casualty ward. Waqa Blake moves to the wing and Tom Opacic comes in at centre, while Oregon Kaufusi moves to lock to replace Matterson. Nathan Brown comes onto the bench.
North Queensland Cowboys vs Canberra Raiders at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, 7.35pm
Cowboys: 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 14. Jake Granville 15. Heilum Luki 16. Mitchell Dunn 17. Griffin Neame 18. Reuben Cotter 19. Scott Drinkwater 20. Connelly Lemuelu 21. Brendan Elliot 22. Ben Condon 23. Emry Pere 24. Daejarn Asi
Analysis: Jamayne Taunoa-Brown is sidelined with a minor knee injury, bringing Jordan McLean into the front row. Jason Taumalolo is named at lock, although he was moved to prop before kick-off on Sunday so that is a chance of happening again. Griffin Neame comes into the side on the bench.
Raiders: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Nick Cotric 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Semi Valemei 5. James Schiller 6. Jack Wighton 7. Matt Frawley 8. Josh Papalii 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Corey Harawira-Naera 13. Elliott Whitehead 14. Adrian Trevilyan 15. Emre Guler 16. Adam Elliott 17. Corey Horsburgh 18. Xavier Savage 19. Sebastian Kris 20. Sam Williams 21. Ryan Sutton 22. Peter Hola 23. Trey Mooney 24. Harry Rushton
Analysis: The Raiders have been ravaged further, with halfback Brad Schneider testing positive to COVID-19, and hooker Josh Hodgson suffering a minor knee injury in Round 1. Matt Frawley comes into the halves and Tom Starling moves to the starting side, with Adrian Trevilyan making his debut on the bench.
SUNDAY
Newcastle Knights vs Wests Tigers at McDonald Jones Stadium, 4.05pm
Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Enari Tuala 6. Jake Clifford 7. Adam Clune 8. David Klemmer 9. Chris Randall 10. Jacob Saifiti 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 13. Kurt Mann 14. Phoenix Crossland 15. Mitchell Barnett 16. Leo Thompson 17. Jirah Momoisea 18. Mathew Croker 19. Pasami Saulo 20. Tex Hoy 21. Simi Sasagi 22. Brayden Musgrove 23. Dylan Lucas 24. Daniel Saifiti
Analysis: The Knights are unchanged after upsetting the Roosters in Round 1.
Tigers: 1. Daine Laurie 2. David Nofoaluma 3. James Roberts 4. Oliver Gildart 5. Ken Maumalo 6. Jackson Hastings 7. Luke Brooks 8. James Tamou 9. Jake Simpkin 10. Stefano Utoikamanu 11. Kelma Tuilagi 12. Luciano Leilua 13. Joe Ofahengaue 14. Tyrone Peachey 15. Alex Twal 16. Zane Musgrove 17. Alex Seyfarth 18. Thomas Mikaele 19. Luke Garner 20. Starford To’a 21. Tukimihia Simpkins 22. Jock Madden 23. Austin Dias 24. Jacob Liddle
Analysis: James Tamou returns from suspension, pushing Alex Twal to the bench and Luke
Canterbury Bulldogs vs Brisbane Broncos at Accor Stadium, 6.15pm
Bulldogs: 1. Matt Duffy 2. Jayden Okunbor 3. Braidon Burns 4. Brent Naden 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 7. Jake Averillo 8. Luke Thompson 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Paul Vaughan 11. Jack Hetherington 12. Tevita Pangai Junior 13. Josh Jackson 14. Bailey Biondi-Odo 15. Corey Waddell 16. Max King 17. Ava Seumanufagai 19. Chris Patolo 20. Brandon Wakeham 21. Joe Stimson 22. Kyle Flanagan 23. Reece Hoffman 24. Josh Cook 25. Aaron Schoupp
Analysis: Fiery recruit Tevita Pangai Jr is in to make his club debut, having been withdrawn on game day in Round 1 due to injury.
Broncos: 1. Tesi Niu 2. Corey Oates 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Albert Kelly 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Keenan Palasia 9. Jake Turpin 10. Payne Haas 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Ryan James 15. Kobe Hetherington 16. TC Robati 17. Billy Walters 18. Brenko Lee 19. Rhys Kennedy 20. Corey Jensen 21. Jordan Pereira 22. Cory Paix 23. Jamayne Isaako 24. Tyson Gamble
Analysis: Adam Reynolds makes his club debut after recovering from COVID-19. Albert Kelly has won the right to partner him in the halves, with Billy Walters dropping to the bench. Tesi Niu returns at fullback, pushing Jamayne Isaako out of the side.
For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!