North Queensland Toyota Cowboys head coach Paul Green has named Lachlan Coote to make his 2018 NRL season debut on Saturday evening against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs at 1300SMILES Stadium.

The premiership-winning fullback missed the first three weeks of the season courtesy of a hamstring injury before making his return through the Queensland Cup with the Mackay Cutters in Round 4.

Coote’s inclusion at fullback sees Ben Hampton move to the centres, with Javid Bowen dropping to the extended bench.

Green’s forward pack remains unchanged with Scott Bolton retaining his starting front-row spot in the absence of the injured Jordan McLean.

Utility Te Maire Martin joins John Asiata, Corey Jensen and Ethan Lowe on the interchange bench.

Exciting playmaking prospect Jake Clifford also comes into the 21-man squad for the first time in 2018 after a strong start to the season with the Northern Pride.

Saturday’s game kicks off at 5.30pm.

North Queensland Toyota Cowboys v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs

Round 6, 2018 NRL Telstra Premiership

5.30pm, Saturday 14 April, 1300SMILES Stadium

Tickets: ticketek.com.au

#NRLCowboysBulldogs #ridemcowboys

1. Lachlan Coote

2. Kyle Feldt

3. Justin O'Neill

4. Ben Hampton

5. Antonio Winterstein

6. Michael Morgan

7. Johnathan Thurston (c)

8. Matthew Scott (c)

9. Jake Granville

10. Scott Bolton

11. Gavin Cooper

12. Coen Hess

13. Jason Taumalolo

Interchange:

14. Te Maire Martin

15. John Asiata

16. Corey Jensen

17. Ethan Lowe

Reserves:

18. Francis Molo

19. Javid Bowen

20. Enari Tuala

21. Jake Clifford

BULLDOGS: 1 Moses Mbye, 2 Brett Morris, 3 Josh Morris, 4 Will Hopoate, 5 Marcelo Montoya, 6 Jeremy Marshall-King, 7 Kieran Foran, 8 Aaron Woods, 9 Michael Lichaa, 10 David Klemmer, 11 Josh Jackson (c), 12 Raymond Faitala-Mariner, 13 Adam Elliott. Interchange: 14 Asipeli Fine, 15 Danny Fualalo, 16 Greg Eastwood, 17 Kerrod Holland. Reserves: 18 John Olive, 19 Rhyse Martin, 20 Renouf Toomaga, 21 Reimis Smith.