Parramatta recruit Reagan Campbell-Gillard has likened his final season at Penrith to “being in a bad relationship” and confirmed the switch to arch rivals the Eels has reinvigorated him.

The 26-year-old is preparing to form a new-look front row partnership with Junior Paulo in a Parramatta pack strong on depth and expected to challenge for the NRL title.

After being the first front rower picked for NSW in 2018, Campbell-Gillard played most of last season from the interchange bench amid mixed form the prop labelled “rocks and diamonds”.

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But since linking with the Eels and undergoing off-season elbow surgery, Campbell-Gillard said his body is feeling better than ever.

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“The vibe’s unreal. It’s a real team first mentality about everything and it’s a cracking side,” he said.

“It’s chalk and cheese from what I was used to being a part of.

“It was a bit like being in a bad personal relationship towards the end (at Penrith).

“Right now I’m feeling good. I’m loving coming to training and ripping in.

“I still live at Penrith and I still keep in touch with plenty of the boys.

“I wouldn’t say it was toxic but I definitely needed the change.

“You know when you’ve put on four or five kilograms and you’ve become a bit comfortable in a relationship?

“You start to feel like a bit of a slob and you start to feel not wanted.

“That’s where I was at. I needed to get out and challenge myself and it’s been the best thing.

“I’m feeling in good nick again and I’m excited about what a cracking squad we’ve got.”

Reagan Campbell-Gillard had a tough season at Penrith in 2019. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt) Source: AAP

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In what is guaranteed to be one of the grudge matches of the new NRL season, the Eels will host the Panthers at Bankwest Stadium in round 11.

Cambell-Gillard told Fox Sports an on-going elbow injury had been continually challenging since 2016.

“After the first eight weeks of every season I had to have injections every week just to be able to play,” Campbell-Gillard said.

“That was how it was last year.

“But I’ve had that sorted over the off-season. I’ve had the surgery for the second time and it’s feeling sweet.

“There’s been no problems at all with it.”

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Campbell-Gillard said it was the same for his jaw, which he broke for the second time training with Panthers in December of 2018.

If Eels coach Brad Arthur can get the prop back to his destructive best, Parramatta will field one of the NRL’s strongest forward packs.

Aside from Junior Paulo and Campbell-Gillard, the Eels also boast young gun front rowers Oregon Kaufusi and Stefano Utoikamanu.

Then their starting backrow will be Ryan Matterson right edge, Shaun Lane left edge and Nathan Brown at lock.

Throw in the likes of experienced NRL forwards Kane Evans, Marata Nuikore and Daniel Alvaro in the Eels best 17 mix and there’s no question Parramatta should be serious contenders.