Adam Reynolds looks to have won the race to start the 2012 NRL season as South Sydney’s halfback after being named in the side for Saturday’s Charity Shield clash with St George Illawarra.

Souths coach Michael Maguire has given time to both Reynolds and Ryan Carr during the side’s trials fixtures against Warrington and the Warriors.

However, Maguire has maintained he would name his strongest available side for the match-up with the Dragons at ANZ Stadium.

England international Sam Burgess returns for his first game since undergoing ankle surgery last May along with fellow co-captain Roy Asotasi, who also missed most of last year with hand and neck problems.

Blake Judd will start alongside Shaune Corrigan in the centres with Greg Inglis out with an ankle injury sustained in the NRL All Stars match.

New Zealand hooker Issac Luke is named on the bench with Nathan Peats to start the game.

Team: Nathan Merritt, Matt King, Shaune Corrigan, Blake Judd, Andrew Everingham, John Sutton, Adam Reynolds, Luke Burgess, Nathan Peats, Roy Asotasi, Eddy Pettybourne, Sam Burgess, Michael Crocker. Interchange: Issac Luke, Dave Tyrell, Dave Taylor, Neccrom Areaiiti, Dylan Farrell, Jason Clark.