Former Test prop Ben Hannant has been named to make his North Queensland debut against his former club Brisbane in Saturday night's NRL trial in Mackay.
And Lachlan Coote has been given first crack at the Cowboys No.1 jersey on his return from a knee reconstruction, with incumbent fullback Michael Morgan named in the halves with Robert Lui.
Star co-captain Johnathan Thurston has been kept in cotton wool ahead of February 13's All Stars game on the Gold Coast.
Besides Hannant, fellow new recruits Justin O'Neill, Kelepi Tanginoa, ex-Broncos hooker Jake Granville and Kyle McConnell have also been included in coach Paul Green's 23-strong squad.
Ray Thompson will get first shot at hooker.
"I's time for the real stuff now," Green said.
"We've got quite a number of regular players in the NRL in this trial.
"We really have only this game and the one against the Titans in Cairns (February 21) as a rehearsal for round one (in March).
"The competition is on for spots in our team at the moment.
"We'll be looking for guys who get some time in this trial to put their best foot forward."
The Broncos will name their trial squad on Wednesday.
Cowboys trial squad: Lachlan Coote, Kyle Feldt, Justin O'Neill, Tautau Moga, Javid Bowen, Robert Lui, Michael Morgan, Ben Hannant, Ray Thompson, Sam Hoare, Ethan Lowe, Kelepi Tanginoa, Glenn Hall. Interchange: Cameron King, John Asiata, Ben Spina, Patrick Kaufusi, Kyle McConnell, Jake Granville, Tom Humble, Hezron Murgha, Zac Santo, Cameron Cullen.
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