Brisbane Broncos name three State of Origin stars to back up in NRL round 15 clash against North Queensland Cowboys

THE Brisbane Broncos have named three of their five State of Origin players for the NRL derby against North Queensland Cowboys in Townsville.

THE Brisbane Broncos have named three of their five State of Origin players, Corey Parker, Ben Hannant and Matt Gillett, for Friday night's derby against North Queensland Cowboys in Townsville.

Coach Anthony Griffin decided Maroons starters Justin Hodges and Petero Civoniceva would not back up, while regular captain Sam Thaiday is out injured.

Thaiday is expected to be fit for the clash with South Sydney Rabbitohs next week.

Broncos rookie tryscorer Lachlan Maranta has retained his place on the wing.

The Cowboys however have named all their Origin players, Johnathan Thurston, Matt Scott, Brent Tate and James Tamou.

Young utility Michael Morgan has been included on the Cowboys bench in place of dynamic hooker James Segeyaro, who was ruled out for the season last week with a syndesmosis rupture in his ankle.

Morgan could cement a place in the side with a strong performance.

This will be the second blockbuster Broncos clash that has been devalued by being scheduled during the Origin period.

The eighth-placed Cowboys will be desperate to end a two-game losing streak and would be confident after snatching a late win over the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium earlier this year.

Meanwhile, Gold Coast Titans will welcome back injured captain Scott Prince for their crunch game against lowly Penrith Panthers at Skilled Park on Sunday.

Prince was a late withdrawal from the Titans' 22-12 loss to Cronulla last Sunday after suffering tightness in his lower back during the club's final training session.

Coach John Cartwright has also named Origin players Greg Bird, Nate Myles and Ashley Harrison.

But Harrison is battling a nagging groin injury and may yet be a late withdrawal.

After an injury-plagued start to the year, the Titans are close to full strength now with prop Luke Bailey the only major loss as he continues his recovery from a rib injury.