Quinlan will become the third halfback St George Illawarra coach Steve Price has used in the first five rounds of the season.

Recruits Michael Witt and Sam Williams have featured in the opening month of the season, but Quinlan’s form at the back has won him the nod for the Heritage Round match at the SCG.

Witt was originally named in the No 7 after returning from a dislocated shoulder via the NSW Cup last week.

Quizzed on the impact Quinlan has had on the side in Dugan’s absence, Dragons prop Dan Hunt said: ‘‘I think he [Quinlan] has been named at halfback and he’ll be looking for a big game [against Souths].

‘‘We’re welcoming Josh back and we’re really looking forward to him playing some good footy. We’ll just see how he fits into our structures. I’m not going to set any benchmarks, but it’s good to see him coming back and playing footy.’’

Dugan hasn’t featured in the Red V since limping out of the Dragons’ heavy Charity Shield defeat to the Rabbitohs in late February.

But the Rabbitohs have slumped to three straight losses after an opening round win over the Roosters, while the Dragons have defied critics to sit atop the table with three victories from their opening four games.

Tyson Frizell (ankle) is the only member of the Dragons top squad unavailable for selection on Saturday night.