Wallsend-based school teacher Melanie Howard will make her State of Origin debut at Sunshine Coast Stadium on Friday after being named as NSW halfback.
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Howard will wear the No.7 jersey against Queensland as the Blues look to claim a fifth straight women's interstate challenge.
The 27-year-old figured in the starting side announced on Tuesday.
Howard, who will partner Corban McGregor in the halves, will also be joined by Central Coast Roosters and NRLW teammates Hannah Southwell and Yasmin Meakes.
Cameron Park's Southwell is set to play at lock while fellow Novocastrian Yasmin Meakes was listed on the bench.
Upper Hunter product Brydie Parker and Kylie Hilder, who hails from the Manning region, are part of an extended 20-player squad.
The final 17 will be announced an hour before kick-off.
NSW has been in a COVID-19 biosecurity bubble at the Novotel Twin Waters Resort in Maroochydore.
Kezie Apps will lead the team out as captain.
BLUES: Botille Vette-Welsh, Jessica Sergis, Tiana Penitani, Isabelle Kelly, Shanice Parker, Corban McGregor, Melanie Howard, Simaima Taufa, Keely Davis, Millie Boyle, Kezie Apps (c), Shaylee Bent, Hannah Southwell, Quincy Dodd, Filomina Hanisi, Sarah Togatuki, Yasmin Meakes, Brydie Parker, Kennedy Sherrington, Kylie Hilder.
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Josh Callinan
My name is Josh Callinan and I'm a sports journalist at the Newcastle Herald. I started with the newspaper in 2016 after a decade at the Maitland Mercury.
My name is Josh Callinan and I'm a sports journalist at the Newcastle Herald. I started with the newspaper in 2016 after a decade at the Maitland Mercury.
