Parramatta coach Brad Arthur has included Auckland Nines hero Bevan French in a 24-man squad for Saturday's NRL trial against Gold Coast.
French scored a record eight tries in the two-day tournament last weekend in New Zealand, but will get his first test against NRL-calibre players when he takes on the Titans in Alice Springs.
A slew of off-season signings will make their first appearances in Eels colours, however big-name recruits Kieran Foran, Michael Jennings, Michael Gordon and Beau Scott have been kept in cotton wool.
New buys Mitch Cornish, Clint Gutherson, Cameron King and Rory O'Brien have all been named in the squad.
Captain Tim Mannah will also get a run, while Kenny Edwards is set to return after copping a nine-month ban for impersonating a teammate last year during a pre-season drugs test.
The Eels have another trial in Penrith on February 20 before beginning their NRL season on March 3 against Brisbane.
Squad: Daniel Alvaro, Mitch Cornish, Isaac De Gois, Kenny Edwards, Bureta Faraimo, Bevan French, Tyrell Fuimaono, Clint Gutherson, Luke Kelly, Cameron King, Tim Mannah, Tepai Moeroa, Ryan Morgan, Cody Nelson, Rory O'Brien, Junior Paulo, Kaysa Pritchard, Brad Takairangi, Kelepi Tanginoa, Peni Terepo, Vai Toutai, Honeti Tuha, Alex Twal, Matt Woods.
