Dragons lock Trent Merrin is looking forward to a reunion with Wayne Bennett after being named in the NRL All-Stars squad.

Merrin - who made his debut under Bennett in 2010 - will make his first All-Stars appearance from the bench as part of his former coach's 20-man squad for the match that will return in February after the concept was "rested" last year.

The selection on Monday will go some way to easing the pain of missing out on a maiden Test jumper after surgery on a shoulder injured during the Blues' breakthrough Origin series win ruled Merrin out of the Four Nations.

The match will also see a reunion of the 2010 premiership winning brains trust with Ben Hornby named as an assistant to Bennett four years after they orchestrated the Dragons' drought-breaking grand final victory. Another member of the 2010 squad - Knights enforcer Beau Scott - will captain the side.

Merrin - who's future has been the subject of intense speculation in recent months - said the match provides a rare chance to be with some of the game's best players and most exciting young talent.

"I was over the moon when Mary [Dragons coach Paul McGregor] called me to his office ... I got butterflies actually when he told me," Merrin said.

"It's a great chance to play with and against some great players.

"I'm looking forward to getting in there and being coached by Wayne again will be exciting.

"It's going to be a massive week especially among the community. It's something I'm really looking forward to and I can't wait to get amongst it."

Merrin won't be the club's lone representative in the match with fan favourite George Rose to make his fifth Indigenous All-Stars appearance after being named at prop in Laurie Daley's squad for the clash.

Daley will steer a side including Superstars Johnathan Thurston, Greg Inglis and Justin Hodges along with young guns Alex Johnston and Tyrone Peachey.

"It's something I'm very proud of," Rose said.