The 28-year-old suffered a shoulder injury making a game-saving tackle against the Gold Coast Titans in Round 12, but will return less than two weeks later to take his place in Paul Green’s side.
Kahu’s inclusion sees John Asiata revert to the interchange, with Corey Jensen dropping out of the side.
Javid Bowen will make his first NRL appearance since Round 4, coming into the side on the wing with Enari Tuala moving to centre.
Scott Bolton starts in the front row in place of injured vice-captain Jordan McLean.
Kurt Baptiste also returns to the side on the interchange after serving a one-week suspension.
Cowboys team to play Tigers:
1. Michael Morgan (C)
2. Kyle Feldt
3. Enari Tuala
4. Tom Opacic
5. Javid Bowen
19. Jordan Kahu
7. Jake Clifford
8. Josh McGuire
9. Jake Granville
10. Scott Bolton
11. Gavin Cooper
12. Coen Hess
13. Jason Taumalolo
Interchange
6. John Asiata
14. Kurt Baptiste
15. Shane Wright
17. Francis Molo