Players and coaches from Shute Shield competition leaders Manly are expected to link with the Eastwood controlled Greater Sydney Rams in the 2017 National Rugby Championship. Manly coach Brian Melrose is expected to join the Rams coaching staff and a number of Marlins players are likely to follow. The Marlins have been the form team of the 2017 Shute Shield season and look set to claim the minor premiership this weekend. Rugby News understands Melrose will coach alongside John Manenti, re-establishing the successful coaching team from the original Rams. Southern Districts, West Harbour, Penrith and the Two Blues are also expected to align with the Rams this year. "The key to gaining support is to be successful on the park so that is our main priority,” Greater Sydney Rams general manager Rob Frost said. “Both Manly and Souths have had very strong seasons  and a lot of their players will be playing for the Rams this year. West Harbour have been the big improvers in 2