The 2023 Shute Shield season kicks off this Saturday and a number of teams will unveil new look sides for the opening round after a busy summer on the recruitment front.

Check out each team’s starting XV for round one below:

Eastern Suburbs v Eastwood

Junior Wallabies halves Teddy Wilson and Jack Bowen will start for Easts in a side that also features former Lyon hooker Julien Heaven and Sale Sharks backrower Jack Hill.

Eastwood have dragged former Kings No.10 Matt Minogue back from the UK. Ben Batger has also named former Rebels Fritz Jahnke-Tavana and Blaise Barnes in his starting side, alongside league convert Sione Hopoate.

Eastern Suburbs (1-15)

Lewis Ponini, Julian Heaven, Vunipola Fifita, Zane Marolt, Ethan Simpson, Jack Hill, Archie Gavin, Will MacPherson, Teddy Wilson, Jack Bowen, Blake Rixon, Logan Bell, Joel Cobb, Jack Mossman, Nic Shannon.

Eastwood (1-15)

Adrian Brown, Ed Craig, Wayne Borsak, Aidan King, Fritz Jahnke-Tavana, Michael Icely, Ratu Tuisese, Sione Tau, Lachie Albert, Matt Minogue, Zak Hickey, Enoka Muliufi, Komiti Tuilagi , Sione Hopoate, Blaise Barnes. 

Sydney Uni v Northern Suburbs

Former Sydney Uni No.10 Jude Gibbs will start at flyhalf for Norths against his former club. Uni have named former London Irish lock Ed Scragg to start, while talented No.9 Tas Smith will also return after a stint with the LA Gilitinis.

Gibbs leads the changes at Norths. Former Australian Schoolboy captain Luke Gersekowski is another new face at No.8, as is Randwick junior Saxon Gillies at lock.

Sydney Uni (1-15)

Paddy Tagg, Sam Cantwell, Brad Amituanai, Luke Ratcliff, Ed Scragg, Aiden Wearne, Jack McCalman, Angus Allen, Tas Smith, Connor O’Shea, Sepesa Loga-Tarogi, Sione Taufui, Henry Clunies – Ross, Eddy King, Tom Morrison. 

Northern Suburbs (1-15)

Jack Brewer, Sam Kitchen, Michael Scott, Saxon Gillies, Declan Carroll, Boston Kerapa, Charlie Jeavons-Fellows, Luke Gersekowski, Nick Duffy, Jude Gibbs, Seb Cameron, Harry Burey, Nathan Russell, Winiata Cherrington, Reece Mau’u.

Southern Districts v Gordon

Southern Districts have unveiled a new look starting XV featuring three Sopoaga’s. Zeke and Tupou join Toka at the Rebels. Former Welsh 7s gun Will Thomas is also back in Sydney. He’ll start in the backline alongside Junior Wallabies centre and Rebels junior Jackson Ropata.

Southern Districts (1-15)

Ezekiel Sopoaga, Dante Tatafu, Tyla Murvai, Phil Potgieter, Julian Zissis, Angus Allen, George Gibson, Tupou Sopoaga, Tokahirere Sopoaga, William Thomas, Samuel Tabuatamata, Gavin Wood, Jackson Ropata, Maui Wallace, Isaac Ratumaitavuki-Kneepens. 

Gordon (1-15) 

Luatangi Li, Thomas Maka, Tristan Fuli, Jack Margin, Ola Tauelangi, Tom Horan, James Lough, Milan Basson, Harry Emery, Jack Macgregor, Kainoa Gudgeon, Barrie Karea, Will Terry, Oliver Arcus, Ben Pollack.

West Harbour v Western Sydney

Former English 7s forward Max Clementson will make his Shute Shield debut for West Harbour at No.7. Promising colt graduate Taine Rush will also start in the midfield.

At the Two Blues, Sailosi Tagicakibau has named experienced playmakers Otumaka Mausia and Wiseguy Faiane at No.10 and No.15 to guide his talented XV around the park. 

West Harbour (1-15)

Sonny Satuala, Raukawa Neems, Callum, Toby Adlington, Jordon Sharp, Damien Fleming, Max Clementson, Prez Tufuga, Dion Spice, Hunter Hannaford, Josh Brown, Malcolm Kelifi, Taine Rush, Senijiale Dawai, Justin Marsters. 

Western Sydney (1-15)

Kaynan Siteine-Tua, Jay Fonokalafi, Vili Tauofaga, Irie Papuni, Paula Waqa, Edward Whyte, Tavite Gadeisuva, Jaycob Matiu, Rilloy Suesue, Otumaka Mausia, Taliki Nadredre, Reece Suesue, Siti Moceidreke, Faiva Faiva, Wiseguy Faiane.

Warringah v Randwick 

Gun flyhalf Witika Rees-Hatu starts the season in the Warringah No.10 jersey after making his first grade debut while in colts last season. Dean Blore shifts to inside centre, while Tyson Davis will play fullback. Bristol Bears prop Martin Mulhall will also start for the Rats.

At Randwick, hooker Cyrille Cama has followed coach Steve Hoiles back from the Gilitinis. Irish import Cormac Daly also makes his Shute Shield debut, while 2022 Two Blues captain Alex Dabek will start at No.8 for the Galloping Greens.

Warringah (1-15)

Martin Mulhall, Jack Nettleton, Pat La Torraca, Hugh Margin, Andrew Davies, Charlie McKill, Alex O’Dell, Richard Clift, Roan Frostwick, Witika Rees-Hatu, Esera Chee-Kam, Dean Blore, Seb Wileman, Mojee Veremalua, Tyson Davis.

Randwick (1-15)

Ben Higgins, Cyrille Cama, Hunter Stewart, Alex Hills, Cormac Daly, Joel Ellis, Alek Dabek, Mitch Watts, Conor Tupai, Coby Miln, Gage Phillips, Nick Chan, Jayden Blake, Christian Yassmin, Zac Carr.

Hunter v Manly

Star recruit Alex Pohla has interestingly been named on the bench for Hunter’s opening round clash against Manly, with Nathan de Thierry and Tom Watson to start in the midfield.

Hunter Wildfires (1-15)

Isikeli Fukofuka, Phil Bradford, Nicholas Dobson, Morgan Inness, Rob Puliúvea, Chlayton Frans, Donny Freeman, Tuitei Asi, Nicholas Murry, Connor Winchester, Isaac Ulberg, Nathan de Thierry, Tom Watson, Deon Evans, Dan Fransen.

Manly (1-15)

Ivan Fepuleai, James Hilterbrand, Neori Nadruku, Byron Leach, Sau Ofahengaue, Justin Mataele, Benjamin Gleeson, Manaia Koko, Ruan Duplooy, Robbie McIntosh, Fraser Toohey, Ofa Manuofetoa, Angus Bell, Yool Yool, Ollie Horne.