NSW have been forced to start planning for State of Origin I in Sydney without inspirational skipper Paul Gallen.

And The Daily Telegraph understands Blues hooker Robbie Farah is the favourite to captain NSW should Gallen withdraw with a hip injury.

Other captaincy candidates are Gold Coast’s Greg Bird and Canterbury’s Josh Morris.

Gallen is privately telling friends he will struggle to be fit for the series opener at ANZ Stadium on May 27.

NSW are beginning to draw up strategic plans to replace Gallen, who has a hip-related injury that has confounded medical experts.

media_camera Gallen’s leadership will be sorely missed by Laurie Daley.

Blues coach Laurie Daley wants Gallen front and centre for the first match but has already started to discuss replacement forwards and a new captain.

NSW have depth in the front-row with Daley able to call on James Tamou, Aaron Woods, David Klemmer and Andrew Fifita. Gold Coast’s Ryan James could be a bolter.

Gallen is said to be “really struggling” with the injury and there are genuine concerns in the NSW camp that the Sharks champion won’t be available to meet Queensland.

Daley is monitoring the Gallen situation closely.

Farah has led NSW once previously (game three, 2013) when Gallen was out injured and would be well positioned to captain the Blues again.

Daley was reluctant to comment on Gallen but conceded: “Gal at this stage has some concerns but we all know how hard he works on his injuries.

“I am sure he will do everything possible to be back as quick as he can.

“We will give Gal every possible chance to play. I am still confident he’ll be right. He always recovers really well.”

Gallen has previously been in doubt for Origin games but always worked intensely to play.

NSW hope this year will be the same — but they aren’t overly confident. Gallen could be out for up to four weeks.

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Tigers legend Steve Roach backed Farah to lead the Blues in Gallen’s absence.

“Robbie would be the obvious choice to be captain if Gal doesn’t play,’’ Roach said. “Robbie has led NSW before and would be logical option.

“But Gal is a great healer and I’d be very surprised if he doesn’t play in the first game.

“There have been times in the past when we didn’t think Gal would play and he did. Given we are defending the title we won last year, I reckon Gal would have to have his leg cut off not to play.”

Gallen, 33, will miss Friday night’s Test against New Zealand in Brisbane and was also missing for Cronulla’s 26-18 loss to Penrith on Sunday.

He said last week: “The injury is worse than we thought initially and I’m not sure at this stage when I will be able to return.”

Gallen is off contract after this season but has opened talks with Cronulla about playing on a further one or two seasons.