Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has confirmed Ben Cousins as a certain starter for the Tigers' AFL round one clash with Carlton at the MCG on Thursday night.

Cousins trained with Richmond on Wednesday in their final hitout ahead of the match.

The club say he has been battling a stomach illness which forced him to hospital twice in the past two weeks.

But Hardwick has declared Cousins is fit and ready to tackle the Blues.

"He's right to go. He's had four training sessions since his illness, and he's looked really good," Hardwick said.

"We're very happy with the way he's headed."

The Tigers will also unveil four debutants - No.3 draft pick Dustin Martin, forwards Relton Roberts and Ben Nason and ex-Port Adelaide utility Mitch Farmer.

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