Richmond recruit Tom Lynch will make his debut for the Tigers in Thursday night's season opener against Carlton at the MCG.

Speaking to the media on Wednesday morning, coach Damien Hardwick confirmed the 26-year-old will don the Yellow and Black in the senior side for Round 1.

Despite not featuring during the JLT Series, Lynch has been in full training for over two weeks in his recovery from a PCL injury.

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"He's playing, all right? That's it. See you tomorrow," a smiling Hardwick said before making as if to leave the press conference on Wednesday.

"Tom will play his first game for the footy club, which is very exciting for us.

"Our list management team did a great job getting a quality person and quality player to our club, and he'll get his first opportunity to play his role."

While appreciating the buzz Lynch's availability will create, Hardwick was also keen to temper expectations of the key forward.

Lynch spent most of the pre-season working on his recovery and will take some time to develop chemistry with forward partner Jack Riewoldt.

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"Our medical staff did a terrific job," Hardwick said.

"They spoke about there being a significant turning point and we've seen that over the last two weeks.

"His work rate, his ability to get to contests is starting to get to the level that we know.

"That was the thing that our guys had to tick off, and in fairness Tom had to be confident that he could perform at the level."