NRL round six teams: Shane Flanagan explains halves shake-up; Mixed news for battered Broncos

Dragons coach Shane Flanagan has explained the decision to shift his son Kyle to halfback this week, just 12 days after an ugly concussion.

Flanagan Jr. was knocked out against the Titans in round four and had to be stretchered from the field, but was named to play in this week's must-win clash with Manly.

He will wear the No.7 jersey for the first time this year, with star recruit Daniel Atkinson moving to five-eighth on Friday - something the coach thinks will help both players.

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"Yes he's my son, but I wouldn't risk any of my players if the medical team didn't tell me they were 100 per cent right to play," coach Flanagan told The Sydney Morning Herald.

"Kyle is a tough kid. I had enough trouble telling him he wasn't playing last week.

"We feel once we've got to know Daniel more, we appreciate his strengths are his running game. He can get the ball and not worry about organising the team – all he has to worry about is the people outside him.

"Daniel wanted to come here and be the halfback. He had a good pre-season. He also hadn't had a lot of time in the NRL before he arrived, so with time he will only get better.

"He can still end up a halfback, but right now his best position is No.6."

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Elsewhere, reigning premiers Brisbane have been left in carnage following injuries to three key superstars - but one could still be a chance of playing.

Reece Walsh and Ben Hunt are set for stints on the sidelines while Adam Reynolds remains in doubt in a major blow for the Broncos, forcing mass changes this weekend.

They aren't the only club in the midst of a horror injury run, with Parramatta also looking at another slate of changes to their side following a chaotic Easter Monday.

Here's all the NRL team news ahead of round six.

THURSDAY

Canterbury Bulldogs vs Penrith Panthers, Accor Stadium (7.50pm)

Bulldogs team: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Enari Tuala 4. Bronson Xerri 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Matt Burton 7. Lachlan Galvin 8. Max King 9. Bailey Hayward 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann 15. Sitili Tupouniua 16. Harry Hayes 17. Sean O'Sullivan 19. Jake Turpin 20. Lipoi Hopoi 21. Alekolasimi Jones 22. Logan Spinks 23. Jethro Rinakama

Bulldogs team news: Bronson Xerri's exile from first grade is over, with the centre earning a recall in place of the injured Stephen Crichton (shoulder) this week. Harry Hayes (concussion) returns on the bench, while hooker Jake Turpin has been called in.

Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Paul Alamoti 4. Casey McLean 5. Brian To'o 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Isaiah Papali'i 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Jack Cogger 15. Billy Phillips 16. Scott Sorensen 17. Luke Garner 18. Izack Tago 19. Freddy Lussick 20. Sione Fonua 21. Kalani Going 22. Jack Cole

Panthers team news: Mitch Kenny (suspension) returns at hooker for Freddy Lussick in the only change for Penrith after five-straight wins.

FRIDAY

St George Illawarra Dragons vs Manly Sea Eagles, WIN Stadium (6pm)

Dragons team: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Christian Tuipulotu 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Setu Tu 6. Daniel Atkinson 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Emre Guler 9. Damien Cook 10. Toby Couchman 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su'A 13. Hamish Stewart 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Blake Lawrie 16. Jacob Halangahu 17. Josh Kerr 18. Hame Sele 19. Kade Reed 20. Mat Feagai 21. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 22. Lyhkan King-Togia

Dragons team news: Big changes in the spine with Tyrell Sloan getting a shot at fullback in place of Clint Gutherson (hamstring) and Daniel Atkinson shifting to five-eighth for the returning Kyle Flanagan (concussion) at halfback. Young playmaker Lyhkan King-Togia has been dropped entirely, with Kade Reed on the six-man bench. Setu Tu earns a recall on the wing in place of David Fale (suspension).

Sea Eagles team: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Luke Brooks 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Brandon Wakeham 10. Kobe Hetherington 11. Haumole Olakau'atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Corey Waddell 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Simione Laiafi 18. Paul Bryan 19. Clayton Faulalo 20. Joey Walsh 21. Josh Feledy 22. Nathan Brown

Sea Eagles team news: Jason Saab (suspension) returns on the wing, forcing Clayton Faulalo to the six-man bench. No other changes after a huge round five win.

Brisbane Broncos vs North Queensland Cowboys, Suncorp Stadium (8pm)

Broncos team: 1. Jesse Arthars 2. Josiah Karapani 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Deine Mariner 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Cory Paix 10. Payne Haas 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Blake Mozer 15. Xavier Willison 16. Ben Talty 17. Aublix Tawha 18. Thomas Duffy 19. Hayze Perham 20. Jaiyden Hunt 21. Va'a Semu 22. Josh Rogers

Broncos team news: Mixed news for the premiers with Adam Reynolds (groin) named at halfback but Reece Walsh (facial fracture) and Ben Hunt (knee) both sidelined. Jesse Arthars will slot in at halfback, while hooker Blake Mozer gets a chance on the bench. Tom Duffy is on standby should skipper Reynolds be ruled out late in the week. Josiah Karapani will slot back into the vacant wing role after being dropped for off-field issues.

Cowboys team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Braidon Burns 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Tomas Chester 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Jake Clifford 7. Tom Dearden 8. Coen Hess 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Heilum Luki 12. Kai O'Donnell 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Soni Luke 15. Griffin Neame 16. Thomas Mikaele 17. Matthew Lodge 18. Zac Laybutt 19. Mason Barber 20. Harrison Edwards 21. Kaiden Lahrs 22. Robert Derby

Cowboys team news: Kai O'Donnell has been promoted to the starting side in place of the injured Sam McIntyre (ankle) in the only change this week.

SATURDAY

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Canberra Raiders, Optus Stadium (3pm)

Rabbitohs team: 1. Jye Gray 2. Alex Johnston 3. Latrell Mitchell 4. Jack Wighton 5. Campbell Graham 6. Cody Walker 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Brandon Smith 10. Keaon Koloamatangi 11. David Fifita 12. Tallis Duncan 13. Cameron Murray 14. Peter Mamouzelos 15. Lachlan Hubner 16. Sean Keppie 17. Liam Le Blanc 18. Bronson Garlick 19. Jayden Sullivan 20. Edward Kosi 21. Thomas Fletcher 22. Latrell Siegwalt

Rabbitohs team news: Brandon Smith (calf) returns at hooker, forcing Bronson Garlick to the six-man bench. No other changes after the Good Friday victory.

Raiders team: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Simi Sasagi 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Jed Stuart 6. Ethan Strange 7. Ethan Sanders 8. Josh Papali'i 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Noah Martin 13. Corey Horsburgh 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Zac Hosking 16. Ata Mariota 17. Morgan Smithies 18. Daine Laurie 19. Joseph Roddy 20. Owen Pattie 21. Matthew Timoko 22. Chevy Stewart

Raiders team news: Jed Stuart comes into the side in place of winger Xavier Savage (leg) in the only change for the Green Machine despite another loss.

Cronulla Sharks vs Sydney Roosters, Optus Stadium (5.30pm)

Sharks team: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Mawene Hiroti 4. KL Iro 5. Samuel Stonestreet 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Toby Rudolf 11. Billy Burns 12. Teig Wilton 13. Jesse Colquhoun 14. Briton Nikora 15. Siosifa Talakai 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Thomas Hazelton 18. Hohepa Puru 19. Tuku Hau Tapuha 20. Jayden Berrell 21. Riley Jones 22. Chris Veaila

Sharks team news: Jesse Ramien (knee) has been ruled out, opening the door for Mawene Hiroti in the centres. No other changes at this stage.

Roosters team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Hugo Savala 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Daly Cherry-Evans 7. Sam Walker 8. Naufahu Whyte 9. Reece Robson 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley 14. Connor Watson 15. Spencer Leniu 16. Nat Butcher 17. Salesi Foketi 18. Cody Ramsey 19. Tommy Talau 20. Benaiah Ioelu 21. Egan Butcher 22. Blake Steep

Roosters team news: Victor Radley is back from his club-imposed suspension and will start at lock, while prop Spencer Leniu (hamstring) has also been named to return. Billy Smith (knee) has been ruled out and will be replaced by Hugo Savala at centre. Egan Butcher (concussion) is among the reserves, while Blake Steep has been axed.

Melbourne Storm vs New Zealand Warriors, AAMI Park (7.35pm)

Storm team: 1. Sualauvi Faalogo 2. William Warbrick 3. Jack Howarth 4. Nick Meaney 5. Moses Leo 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Joe Chan 12. Cooper Clarke 13. Trent Loiero 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Davvy Moale 18. Lazarus Vaalepu 19. Manaia Waitere 20. Preston Conn 21. Hugo Peel 22. Trent Toelau

Storm team news: Jack Howarth (hip) and Moses Leo (concussion) both return in the outside backs, forcing Manaia Waitere to the bench and Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown out.

Warriors team: 1. Taine Tuaupiki 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 4. Adam Pompey 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Tanah Boyd 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Jackson Ford 11. Leka Halasima 12. Jacob Laban 13. Erin Clark 14. Samuel Healey 15. Marata Niukore 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Tanner Stowers-Smith 18. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava 20. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 21. Morgan Gannon 22. Luke Hanson 23. Ali Leiataua

Warriors team news: Luke Metcalf (hamstring) is set for another stint on the sidelines and will be replaced by Chanel Harris-Tavita in the halves. Adam Pompey has been named but will front the NRL judiciary on Tuesday night.

SUNDAY

Parramatta Eels vs Gold Coast Titans, CommBank Stadium (2pm)

Eels team: 1. Joash Papali'i 2. Araz Nanva 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Brian Kelly 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Ronald Volkman 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Jack Williams 9. Ryley Smith 10. Junior Paulo 11. Kelma Tuilagi 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. Dylan Walker 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Charlie Guymer 16. Sam Tuivaiti 17. Luca Moretti 18. Jack de Belin 19. Teancum Brown 20. Mohamed Alameddine 21. Jezaiah Funa-Luta 22. Lorenzo Talataina

Eels team news: The injury crisis has deepened at Parramatta with winger Bailey Simonsson (ankle) set to miss the rest of the season, while Jonah Pezet (hamstring) and Sean Russell (concussion) also out of action. Ronald Volkman has been named in the halves this week, but keep an eye on No.22 Lorenzo Talataina for a possible debut. Araz Nanva will make his debut on the wing and Will Penisini (groin) returns at centre.

Titans team: 1. Keano Kini 2. Sialetili Faeamani 3. Jojo Fifita 4. AJ Brimson 5. Phillip Sami 6. Lachlan Ilias 7. Jayden Campbell 8. Klese Haas 9. Sam Verrills 10. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui 11. Arama Hau 12. Beau Fermor 13. Chris Randall 14. Kurtis Morrin 15. Cooper Bai 16. Moeaki Fotuaika 17. Oliver Pascoe 18. Jaylan De Groot 19. Jett Liu 20. Zane Harrison 21. Adam Christensen 22. Jenson Taumoepeau

Titans team news: No changes despite a round five loss against the Broncos.

Wests Tigers vs Newcastle Knights, Campbelltown Stadium (4.05pm)

Tigers team: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Faaletino Tavana 3. Sunia Turuva 4. Heamasi Makasini 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Jock Madden 7. Adam Doueihi 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Alex Twal 14. Latu Fainu 15. Sione Fainu 16. Royce Hunt 17. Alex Seyfarth 18. Tristan Hope 19. Patrick Herbert 20. Bunty Afoa 21. Tony Sukkar 22. Charlie Murray

Tigers team news: Luke Laulilii (suspension) has been hit with a one-game ban and will be replaced by Jeral Skelton on the wing. Patrick Herbert is closing in on an unlikely return to the NRL after being named on the six-man bench.

Knights team: 1. Fletcher Hunt 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Wilson De Courcey 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Sandon Smith 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Trey Mooney 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Jermaine McEwen 13. Mathew Croker 14. Harrison Graham 15. Tyson Frizell 16. Pasami Saulo 17. Thomas Cant 18. Tyson Gamble 19. Cody Hopwood 20. Francis Manuleleua 21. Elijah Leaumoana 22. James Schiller

Knights team news: Bradman Best (groin) has been ruled out, with round five debutant Wilson De Courcey named to start in his place. No other changes at this stage.