Cameron Munster looks set to continue his history of tormenting Brisbane after being named for his first NRL hit-out of 2024.
The return of Melbourne's maverick five eighth is one of a number of intriguing subplots after round-five teams were unveiled on Tuesday.
Among the most interesting storylines is Newcastle recalling Jackson Hastings to their halves and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad returning to take the Warriors fullback jersey.
Munster, who boasts a 13-1 record against the Broncos when picked at five-eighth, is named to return from a groin injury in the opening game of the round on Thursday.
Halfback Jahrome Hughes (suspension) and prop Christian Welch (concussion) also return for Craig Bellamy’s side against the depleted Broncos but Nelson Asofa-Solomona remains absent.
Hastings’ return for the Knights - at the expense of Tyson Gamble - for Friday’s clash with St George Illawarra is also significant after the former was dropped after just two rounds.
Jack Cogger keeps his spot in the halves alongside Hastings, with prop Leo Thompson and centre Dane Gagai both fit to feature against the Dragons.
In Friday's earlier game, the Sydney Roosters welcome back Lindsay Collins (hamstring) and Angus Crichton is named to start in the back-row against Canterbury.
On Saturday, Nicoll-Klokstad will make his first start for the year at fullback, shunting Roger Tuivasa-Sheck to the centres for the Warriors' trip to face South Sydney.
Chanel Harris-Tavita is overlooked for Te Maire Martin who is named at five-eighth, replacing Luke Metcalf who will be sidelined for the majority of the season with a broken tibia.
Souths named Izaac Thompson to fill in for winger Alex Johnston (hamstring) in the only change to the side which grabbed their first win of the season last week.
In Saturday’s other games, premiers Penrith welcome back James Fisher-Harris for their trip to Manly and Wests Tigers will hand a debut to Latu Fainu on the interchange.
Benji Marshall has entrusted Jayden Sullivan with the Tigers' No. 6 berth to replace suspended teenage whiz Lachlan Galvin as he coaches against a Dolphins side guided by his long-term mentor Wayne Bennett.
Winless Gold Coast made changes on both wings, axing Alofiana Khan-Pereira for Harley Smith-Shields and bringing Jojo Fifita in for Phillip Sami (ankle).
David Fifita will again come off the bench for the Titans, who face an unchanged North Queensland Cowboys in Townsville on Sunday.
Canberra’s lack of back-row depth has been laid bare with Ata Mariota set to start on an edge in the absence of Elliot Whitehead (calf) and Zac Hosking (concussion) for Sunday’s home game against Parramatta.
