Valentine Holmes has been cleared to play in St George Illawarra‘s season opener in Las Vegas, despite worrying footage emerging from training.
The superstar centre joined the club in 2025 but missed the back-end of the year with a shoulder injury as the Red V’s finals hopes fell apart.
Holmes was named to play in this weekend’s Charity Shield trial game against South Sydney when the squad was first released on Tuesday afternoon, after being rested for the first pre-season fixture last Saturday night against Newcastle.
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However, some eagle-eyed Dragons fans were left concerned when a video posted via the club’s TikTok account showed Holmes limping off clutching at his leg.
The club have since moved to squash the fears but did confirm Holmes had been ruled out for the Rabbitohs clash and would instead turn his attention to Vegas.
Holmes has recovered from a hamstring injury which occurred early in January,” the statement on Thursday afternoon said.
“He was available for selection in this Saturday’s Charity Shield against the Rabbitohs however a decision has been made that he will not play.
“He will be ready to line up in the side’s season opener against the Bulldogs.”
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The 30-year-old is one of the Dragons most important players and the club can ill-afford to have Holmes sitting on the sidelines in round one.
St George Illawarra will already be without Jacob Liddle for the start of the year due to a hamstring injury, but the speedy hooker is expected back for round two.
Young back-rower Dylan Egan is on the comeback trail from an ACL injury suffered last season and is likely to return by round 10.