The Cowboys will play both their major pre-season trials in north Queensland, with the NRL club confirming they have locked in a clash with St George Illawarra in Cairns for early 2013.

North Queensland will tackle the Dragons at Barlow Park on February 16.

They will also take on Gold Coast in Mackay on February 23.

Cowboys’ football manager Peter Parr said North Queensland would hold a three-day camp in Cairns ahead of the Dragons clash with several community visits organised during their stay.

Parr said he expected the “full house” sign to go up at Barlow Park.

“Since our inception, the Cairns region has always been a Cowboys’ stronghold,” Parr said.

“This will be our 10th visit to Cairns in 11 years for a pre-season game to go along with the junior rugby league and community work we undertake in the region each year.”

Cairns-based Queensland Cup side the Pride will take on the Cowboys’ Toyota Cup outfit in the curtain-raiser.

AAP lc/ajw/