'Be ready to play': Sommerton shares focus for new six-man bench

New recruit Luke Sommerton isn't set to change anything about his preparation for this week's game no matter what jersey number he's named in.

Expected to earn a bench spot in Josh Hannay's first Titans team of the year, the utility believes his lead-in to this week's season opener against the Sharks won't waver despite the extension of the bench and potential not to get on the field with the new rotation rules. 

Teams are still only permitted to interchange four players up to eight times during the match, but will now have a squad of six players who available to be chosen from.

It means two players won't take part in each match, unless the 18th player rule is activated due to foul play or two failed head injury assessments, which will then allow a fifth player to come into the game.

"With more people on the bench this year, everyone still has to have the mindset to be ready to play," Sommerton said.

"Obviously there was only the 18th man and they weren't usually getting on but now you've got an 18th and 19th man who are all part of the interchange.

"You now don't necessarily know who is and who isn't going to play because you can now pick who you want to play out of the six.

"It's about getting all your prep done through the week as if you were playing and playing big minutes, because you still could... that's definitely the main thing."

Making the move from Penrith over the off-season, the 26-year-old has savoured his scenery switch, crediting Hannay and the squad for welcoming him with open arms after spending his entire life in Sydney.

"It's been a good change of environment for myself and I'm enjoying it a lot more than I expected to. It's come by surprise to be connected to everybody so quickly," Sommerton said.

"I've really enjoyed it and have been loving life up here so far.

"We've gone well in the pre-season so hopefully we can roll that into Round 1."