Updated May 28, 2018 10:33:39

Photo: Nathan Cleary has helped the Panthers to the top of the NRL ladder. (AAP: Craig Golding)

Penrith Panthers playmaker Nathan Cleary will be one of 11 new faces in the New South Wales squad for the State of Origin series opener in Melbourne.

New Blues coach Brad Fittler is expected to make the biggest shake-up to a squad in Origin history — no team has ever made more than 10 changes to its roster.

Just six players who turned out for NSW in game three last year will return to the team; captain Boyd Cordner, James Maloney, David Klemmer, Tyson Frizell, Jake Trbojevic and James Tedesco.

Cleary, 20, is expected to partner Penrith teammate Maloney in the halves.

They will be joined by fellow Panthers Tyrone Peachey and Regan Campbell-Gillard.

South Sydney hooker Damien Cook, Broncos centre James Roberts and Roosters centre Lattrell Mitchell are other in-form players likely to get the nod.

The Blues squad will be officially unveiled tonight.

A new look Maroons side has been announced, with Matt Scott and Darius Boyd dropped and Greg Inglis named the new Queensland captain.

Expected NSW Squad:

James Tedesco, Tom Trbojevic, James Roberts, Latrell Mitchell, Josh Addo-Carr, James Maloney, Nathan Cleary, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Damien Cook, Paul Vaughan, Tyson Frizell, Boyd Cordner (c), Jake Trbojevic. Interchange: Tyrone Peachey, David Klemmer, Jack de Belin, Angus Crichton. Reserves: Nick Cotric, Tariq Sims, Ryan James.

Topics: state-of-origin, rugby-league, sport, sydney-2000, nsw

First posted May 28, 2018 09:14:54