Welcome Back” He Is Coming Back…..

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.

Melbourne Storm are set to receive a boost of experience when they run out to face the Brisbane Broncos on Thursday night at AAMI Park.

The Storm spine will have a familiar make-up as Cameron Munster and Jahrome Hughes return to five-eighth and halfback, respectively.

The Club will first need to review how Munster pulls up after Captain’s Run on Wednesday before he officially takes to the field on Thursday night, while Hughes rejoins the squad following a one-game suspension.

Christian Welch will also provide some momentum off the bench after completing the NRL mandatory 11-day stand-down after failing a HIA in Round 2.

Following an early bye week, the remainder of the Storm squad will stay unchanged from Round 3, with Shawn Blore retaining his spot in the forward pack following a successful debut in the purple jersey last outing.