As predicted Gasnier will play this weekend.

Gasnier back for Dragons


July 17, 2007

AUSTRALIA centre Mark Gasnier will make his long awaited return to National Rugby League this weekend after being named at five-eighth for St George-Illawarra's clash against Penrith.

Saturday's clash with the Panthers will be his first NRL match of the season after damaging his pectoral muscle in the pre-season Charity Shield match against South Sydney two weeks before the start of the regular season.

The pectoral muscle in Gasnier's right shoulder detached itself from the bone and it was initially feared the strike weapon would miss the entire 2007 campaign.

But Dragons coach Nathan Brown said there was no risk of Gasnier coming back too early after he was cleared by a specialist to resume contact work two weeks ago.

It was thought Gasnier would be eased back into action in his more natural centre position, but Brown today named him at five-eighth - the position he trained in throughout the entire pre-season.

Kiwi Rangi Chase drops back to the bench to accommodate for Gasnier's return.