The North Queensland Toyota Cowboys kick off their 2019 campaign with a trial against the Gold Coast Titans at Sunshine Coast Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
While big names Michael Morgan, Kyle Feldt, Nene Macdonald, Josh McGuire, Gavin Cooper and Coen Hess have been rested, head coach Paul Green has still named a star-studded side for the Titans clash.
Superstar lock Jason Taumalolo headlines a fearsome forward pack including Kangaroos props Jordan McLean and Matt Scott, as well as premiership-winning duo Jake Granville and Ethan Lowe.
The trio will look to build on their strong finish to the 2018 season when they emerged as one of the most dangerous middle forward rotations in the NRL.
McLean has enjoyed a solid pre-season after an injury-interrupted maiden season at the Cowboys.
Scott has also made a successful return from off-season neck surgery and while he isn’t expected to play huge minutes against the Titans, the Cowboys stalwart will don his famous No.8 jersey to start Saturday’s game.
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Former Cowboys under 20s skipper Mitch Dunn will partner Lowe in the second-row. A half in his junior days, Dunn made a successful transition to the forwards in 2018 and will look to add to his two NRL appearances in 2019.
Kiwi Test half Te Maire Martin is joined by reigning Cowboys and Queensland Cup Rookie of the Year Jake Clifford in the halves.
Martin switched between five-eighth, fullback and the bench utility role last season and is locked in a battle with Clifford to partner Michael Morgan in the halves in Round 1.
Fullback Carlin Anderson heads up a youthful back five with speed to burn. Try-scoring maestro Gideon Gela-Mosby and 19-year-old Junior Kangaroos rising star Murray Taulagi have been named on the wing, while fellow young gun Enari Tuala is joined in the centres by Javid Bowen.
Scott Bolton is one of five interchange players with NRL experience alongside Shane Wright, Corey Jensen, Francis Molo and Tom Opacic.
Cowboys fans should also keep an eye on the host of rising stars set to play their first senior games in Cowboys colours including Kurt Wiltshire, Tom Gilbert, Reuben Cotter, Peter Hola and Dan Russell.
The match will be split into four 20-minute quarters and interchanges are unlimited. Kick-off is at 5pm.
Fans will be able to stream Saturday's trial live on Cowboys.com.au.
The Cowboys will also hold an open training session from 3pm to 4.30pm at Sunshine Coast Stadium on Friday afternoon.
Cowboys team to play Titans:
Carlin Anderson
Gideon Gela-Mosby
Enari Tuala
Javid Bowen
Murray Taulagi
Te Maire Martin
Jake Clifford
Matt Scott
Jake Granville
Jordan McLean
Ethan Lowe
Mitch Dunn
Jason Taumalolo
Interchange
Kurt Wiltshire
Corey Jensen
Shane Wright
Scott Bolton
Francis Molo
Tom Gilbert
Reuben Cotter
Tom Opacic
Peter Hola
Dan Russell
