Updated Cowboys NRL team list: Round 1 v Knights

North Queensland Toyota Cowboys Head Coach Todd Payten has reduced his squad to 20 for Sunday's season opener against the Newcastle Knights at Allegiant Stadium.

Harrison Edwards and John Bateman are the two players to drop out of the 22-man squad named on Tuesday. 

The game kicks off at 6.15pm in Las Vegas (12.15pm QLD).

>>> Payten: I haven’t seen him this lean before

Cowboys team to play Knights:

1. Scott Drinkwater

2. Braidon Burns

3. Jaxon Purdue

4. Tom Chester

5. Murray Taulagi

6. Jake Clifford

7. Tom Dearden (c)

8. Coen Hess

9. Reed Mahoney

10. Jason Taumalolo

11. Heilum Luki

12. Sam McIntyre

13. Reuben Cotter (c)

Interchange

14. Soni Luke

15. Tom Mikaele

17. Kai O’Donnell

18. Griffin Neame

21. Matt Lodge

22. Robert Derby

Reserve

20. Liam Sutton