Exiled Reds Quade Cooper, Karmichael Hunt and James Slipper will be treated like any other in the Queensland NRC teams, according to coaches Mick Heenan and Rod Seib.
Cooper and Hunt were named in the 36-man Brisbane City squad, and Slipper was selected in the Queensland Country squad.
Whether they play in the NRC remains to be seen - the QRU say their selections will be up to City coach Mick Heenan and Country coach Rod Seib - but with Cooper and Hunt in form in Brisbane club rugby, and Slipper due to return against the Wallabies on Friday night, a lack of game readiness won't be a factor.
Brisbane City coach Heenan told RUGBY.com.au last month that he was uncertain about whether he would pick Cooper and Hunt.
"Obviously NRC is a development pathway for the Reds and if those guys aren't involved there, there probably isn’t much logic having them in an NRC side," he said.
It is believed Rugby AU subsequently made it clear that the highly-paid Wallabies duo should still play in the NRC.
Heenan said on Wednesday his expectations would be the same for the duo as for any other player in his team.
"The same as I want from every other member of the squad," he said.
I just want them focused on improving themselves and I want them focused on improving the players around them. That's the same attitude as I want from all 33.
"They've certainly got the ability to play at that level.
"They're playing club footy for Souths and so it's a jump up again to go to NRC and then it's another jump up to Super Rugby level.
"They'll be treated like anyone else in the 33. If they perform and if they do the right things at training they'll be picked."
Heenan will also be assisted by Souths coach Elia Tuqiri for the first time this year, further boosting the likelihood Cooper and Hunt will play for City.
Cooper and Hunt weren't considered for the Wallabies trial match due to Souths beginning their finals campaign this week.
Both the City and Country squads feature a mix of Queensland Reds contracted players and representatives from each of the nine clubs in the Queensland Premier Rugby competition.
Brisbane City will take more games to the grassroots than ever before in 2018, with all three home games being hosted by Brisbane clubs Norths, Wests and Easts.
Seib, the current Queensland Schoolboys head coach and Bond University Premier Grade assistant coach,said Slipper would take time to get back to his best but his return would be valuable.
"I'm wrapped to have James in the side just like all members of the squad," he said.
"I'm sure he'll be looking to add value just like everyone else and through all of his experience I'm sure the players around him will benefit from that.
"I'm sure he'll build into the season.
"When someone's had a break of that sort of period they're not going to hit their straps in round one but certainly as the season goes I'm sure he'll have more and more of an impact but certainly given his experience I'm sure other players will benefit from that."
Queensland Country will continue to take matches to regional Queensland in 2018, with matches to be played in Townsville, Mackay and the Gold Coast.
The NRC, which runs from September 1 to October 27, is a more streamlined competition than previous years with eight clubs - including a stand-alone Sydney franchise - now represented.
The 2018 NRC kicks off on September 1, with the Fiji Drua taking on the Melbourne Rising.
SQUADS
Queensland NRC squads 2018
Brisbane City
Props
Feao Fotuaika - Souths
Josh Nasser - University of Queensland
JP Smith - Reds/GPS
Ruan Smith -Reds/GPS
Misioka Timotea - Wests
Hookers
Brandon Paenga-Amosa (Wallabies allocated player) - Reds/Sunnybank
Andrew Ready - Reds/Easts
Moli Sooaemalelagi - Sunnybank
Locks
Nathan Den Hoedt - Sunnybank
Jeremiah Lynch -Wests
Zach Moimoi- Bond University
Lukhan Tui (Wallabies allocated player) - Reds/Souths
Jale Vakaloloma - Easts
Back row
Matt Gicquel- GPS
Michael Gunn - Reds/Easts
Reece Hewat - Reds/Norths
Adam Korczyk - Reds/University of Queensland
Fraser McReight - Brothers
Pat Morrey - University of Queensland
Tuaina Tualima - Sunnybank
Dillon Wihongi - Wests
Scrumhalves
Scott Gale - University of Queensland
Moses Sorovi - Reds/University of Queensland
Flyhalves
Quade Cooper - Reds/Souths
James Dalgleish - University of Queensland
Centres
Con Foley - University of Queensland
Matt Gordon- Easts
Samu Kerevi (Wallabies allocated player) - Reds/Souths
Isaac Lucas - Sunnybank
Tautalatasi Tasi - Souths
Outside backs
Lawson Creighton - Brothers
Alex Gibbon - Brothers
Karmichael Hunt - Reds/Souths
Lachlan Maranta - Reds/Wests
Jayden Ngamanu - Reds/Souths
Emori Waqavulagi - Souths
Queensland Country
Props
Richie Asiata - Easts
Taniela Tupou - Reds/Brothers
Kirwan Sanday - Easts
Fred Burke - GPS
Harry Hoopert - Reds/Brothers
Jake Simeon - Souths
James Slipper - Reds/Bond University
Hookers
Alex Casey - Souths
Efi Ma’afu - Wests
Matt Faessler - Brothers
Locks
Angus Blyth - Reds/Bond University
Josh Fenner - Sunnybank
Rob Puli’uvea - Wests
Izack Rodda - Reds/Easts
Harry Hockings - Reds/University of Queensland
Backrowers
Angus Scott-Young - Reds/University of Queensland
Liam Wright - Reds/Easts
Caleb Timu - Reds/Souths
Tainui Ford - Bond University
Tom Kibble - GPS
Harry Wilson - Brothers
Sunia Finefeuiaki - Souths
Scrumhalves
James Tuttle - Reds/GPS
Tate McDermott - Reds/University of Queensland
Flyhalves
Hamish Stewart - Reds/Bond University
Teti Tela - Reds/Souths
Centres
Duncan Paia’aua - Reds/Norths
Chris Feauai-Sautia - Reds/Souths
Tony Hunt - Norths
Daniel Boardman - Bond University
Outside Backs
Izaia Perese - Reds/Easts
Jordy Petaia - Reds/Wests
Jock Campbell - University of Queensland
Filipo Daugunu - Reds/Wests
Joey Fittock - Bond University
Patrick James - Brothers
