NSW coach Brad Fittler has described Mitchell Pearce as “sharp” during the halfback’s first training session with the Blues in the lead up to his anticipated return for State of Origin III.

Pearce on Thursday ran with his Blues teammates for the first time since being recalled into the Origin squad as a replacement for the injured Nathan Cleary.

“He’s sharp. I think the familiarity of having Jimmy there and their experience together really helps,” Fittler said.