Bird returns to tackle Sharks

Bird returns to tackle Sharks

NSW State of Origin representative Greg Bird will make a timely return to the Jetstar Gold Coast Titans' starting line-up for Saturday night's Women in League themed home clash against his former club the Cronulla Sharks at Skilled Park.

Jetstar Titans Coach John Cartwright today named Bird in the back row and forwards Luke O'Dwyer and Brenton Lawrence on an extended six-man bench to take on the Sharks in the wake of last Friday night's disappointing 31-8 loss to the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

Bird, who spent seven seasons with the Sharks from 2002-08, missed the Rabbitohs clash after being unable to back-up due to soreness following the second Origin match last Wednesday night but returns to add some grunt in both attack and defence.

In other team changes, back rower Anthony Laffranchi will push up into the front row while utility O'Dwyer and prop Brenton Lawrence, who has been playing for Queensland Cup feeder club Burleigh Bears, have been named on an interchange bench with two to be omitted.

Cartwright said he expected Bird to be raring to go against his former club with the benefit of a 10-day break between matches since Origin 2.