Nicholls spent the bulk of the preseason on the Dragons right edge prior to Ben Hunt's arrival during the World Cup and has reprised that role this week with Hunt away on Origin duty.

“In the spine there Gaz [Gareth Widdop] and Cam [McInnes] are both great leaders so it's been pretty easy. Back in (the NSW Premiership) I sort of run that ship there but coming up it's pretty seamless,” he said earlier this season.

“You don't have to do as much because everyone knows their spots a lot easier. We both play right side, I've always played right side so that's a bit if an advantage for me as well.”

It comes after two stints at the Brisbane Broncos and South Sydney Rabbitohs each, as well as time spent at the Wests Tigers, Penrith Panthers and in France.

 Hame Sele and Reece Robson are the new faces on the bench.