Dragons coach Paul McGregor believes backrowers Tyson Frizell and Joel Thompson are very much in contention for a NSW jumper, and says Sunday’s home clash with Canberra will be their final audition for Blues coach Laurie Daley.

Daley will name his Origin squad on Tuesday and the Dragons are expected to have at least two representatives - Josh Dugan and Trent Merrin basically considered sure things.

Both Dugan and Merrin helped NSW break an eight-year drought by winning last year’s series 2-1.

But with series-winning captain Paul Gallen confirming on Friday he won’t be available for game one, as well as Greg Bird’s suspension, Daley will be looking for a couple of second rowers to fill the gaps on May 27.

Frizell and Thompson have been in hot form for the Red V and were both selected to represent Country a fortnight ago.

McGregor believes a strong performance against the Raiders could sway Daley to throw at least one of the pair a gig.

‘‘It’s a really good opportunity for those guys to put their foot forward for Origin,’’ McGregor said.

‘‘Your best memory is your last, and it’s the last game before selection.

‘‘Certainly they have done that for a number of weeks and now it’s about putting a big game together at the most important time.’’

Dragons captain Ben Creagh agrees either Frizell or Thompson would be deserving of a spot in NSW’s squad if selected.

‘‘For the amount of work they put in at training and the way they’ve been playing during games, I’m a bit biased being good mates with both of them, but I think they would do a great job at Origin level,’’ Creagh said.

Dugan and Merrin, on the other hand, merely need to make it through Sunday’s game unscathed to be included in the Blues squad named Tuesday.

Dugan made a surprise return from a knee injury to line up at ANZ Stadium on Monday night and he will wear the No 1 for the Dragons this weekend.

There was talk on Friday of a possible late change for the Dragons, though, as the club looks to bounce back with a win before next week’s bye.

If Eto Nabuli can prove his fitness to coach McGregor, he may come in on a wing to replace either Peter Mata’utia or Dylan Farrell, who would probably fight it out for one centre position.

Nabuli played the first seven games of the season before a niggling knee injury ruled him out of the round eight and round nine matches.

McGregor admits it would be hard to drop Mata’utia from the starting line-up based on his recent performances.

‘‘It’s a tough one when you have everyone fit and playing well,’’ the coach said.

‘‘(Nabuli) is available this week, but when you look at the way Pete Mata’utia has played the last couple of weeks it’s pretty hard to dismiss.

‘‘It’s a good headache to have.’’