Pearson to get first start for 2021

Jonus Pearson will play his first NRL game in over a year, with the 25-year-old named on the wing to replace Phillip Sami.

It's the only change to Justin Holbrook's side that was named earlier in the week, with Sami failing to recover from a head-knock he suffered in the last start victory against Newcastle.

"Phil Sami won't play, he wasn't completely right so we will give him another week," Holbrook said.

"Jonus will come in on the wing, he is obviously keen for an opportunity and he's had a couple of good games for Burleigh (Bears) so it's good for him.

"For players like Jonus you've got to wait for an opportunity and take it and he get's that (against Manly)."

Pearson had his 2020 season disrupted by injury, but after a strong pre-season and good early season form in the Intrust Super Cup, he's earned a recall to the NRL side.

The Titans will be hoping for a similar performance to their last against Manly, a 42 points to 24 victory in round 19 last season, when the two sides clash at Glen Willow Oval at Mudgee today.