St George Illawarra tyro Matt Prior claims Saturday night's Charity Shield clash with South Sydney's monster pack will be the perfect test of his credentials in the engine room.

Prior, who impressed as a wide-running backrower in his first full year in the top grade in 2009, has become the unlikely candidate to replace departed prop Justin Poore in the Dragons' front row.

It was assumed that battle would be fought out by new recruit Michael Greenfield and holdovers Dan Hunt, Jarrod Saffy and Trent Merrin, but coach Wayne Bennett shocked many when he plumped for the 22-year-old at prop against Canterbury last weekend.

While he held his own up against Australian prop Ben Hannant, Prior knows the examination will only get tougher when he lines up against a pack featuring Roy Asotasi, Sam Burgess, Dave Taylor, Eddy Pettybourne and Luke Stuart at ANZ Stadium.

"It's definitely a test - they've got some good front rowers and just a good forward pack all-round, it will be a good test for me," Prior said.

While enjoying the challenge of playing in the middle, Prior said neither he nor Bennett were convinced of a permanent move there.

Such is Prior's versatility that after playing the first half against the Bulldogs in the front row, Bennett shuffled him out to the centre for the second stanza where he was marking up against a fresh Jamal Idris.

But playing in the front row may be Prior's best bet of securing a starting berth, with Nathan Fien's shift to the No.9 jumper leaving Dean Young, Jeremy Smith and Ben Creagh as he first-choice backrow.

"I'm not too sure yet (about the front row), we're trying out a few things in the trials," Prior said.

"My style of game might suit playing in the middle a bit more rather than just on the edge like I did last year.

"You have to get through a lot more work playing in the middle, a lot more tackling and a lot more involvement.

"I played a lot of front row and back row in juniors - I haven't really had a permanent position, I've just been in the forwards somewhere."

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