NRL: Peyroux to start in Titans clash

Dominique Peyroux beats the Bulldogs to the ball at Eden Park in April. Photo / Sarah Ivey

Cook Islands international has been with squad the past two weeks after injuries to Hurrell, Nielsen and Lolohea.

Dominique Peyroux returns to NRL football for just the third time this season for the Warriors' clash against his former club Gold Coast at Mt Smart Stadium on Sunday.

In his first outing in more than four months, the 25-year-old Peyroux has been named to start in the centres, coming into the side after the shoulder injury that forced rookie winger David Fusitu'a off the field in the opening minutes of last Sunday's loss to the Sydney Roosters.

Ngani Laumape starts on the right wing, where he played most of the match against the Roosters after originally being selected in the centres.

In one other change to the starting line-up, Sione Lousi has been named at loose forward with Sebastine Ikahihifo on the bench.

Returning on the interchange is veteran prop Sam Rapira, who turned out for the club's New South Wales Cup side in their dramatic 28-30 loss to Newtown last Sunday. He replaces Feleti Mateo, who will play in the NSW Cup against North Sydney on Sunday.

After making 14 appearances last season, Peyroux's previous games this year were against Canterbury-Bankstown (bench) at Eden Park and the following week against St George Illawarra, when he was in the second row.

Used 16 times for the NSW Cup side, the Cook Islands international has been with the NRL squad for the past two weeks after injuries to Konrad Hurrell, Dane Nielsen and Tuimoala Lolohea; he was 18th man against the Roosters.

"Dom's been great working with the squad giving us cover in the outside backs for the last couple of weeks," said coach Andrew McFadden. "He has kept pushing for an opportunity through his efforts for our New South Wales Cup side and he'll do a good job for us.

"The decision to start Sione is the way we want to go with this game."

Peyroux played 16 times for the Titans in 2011-12 before linking with the Warriors last season.