Kenny (26) is the first Lawrence player to represent Otago since John Crawford in 1978.
Sam Young (29), who returned to the Lawrence club four years ago after playing for Taranaki, is on the bench and will get game time at first five-eighth.
Kenny, the stock manager at Waipori Station, captained Otago Country in 2007 and was out of action last year because of injury.
He has been a key member of the Lawrence club which has been one of the powerhouses of Otago country rugby over the past five years.
Lawrence won the Countrywide competition in 2007 and was runner-up in 2005, 2006 and last year.
It is a finalist again this year.
Kenny developed his rugby as a member of the Kings High School First XV and represented Otago in under-16 and under-18 teams.
Lawrence premier coach Kelvin Wyber was delighted with his selection.
"James is a very good organiser and stirs the forwards along.
He calls a spade a spade and is a very good organiser of the defence after the ruck and maul," Wyber said.
But most important of all, he had a long and quick pass that gave the backline time to function.
Midfield back Lex Kaleca is another Lawrence back who has been added to the Otago provincial training squad.
Young played two games for Otago in 2002 when he was a member of the Southern club in Dunedin.
The inclusion of two club members in the Otago squad for the game tomorrow is a bonus for the Lawrence club, which persevered when tempted to withdraw from the South Otago premier competition six years ago because of the lack of numbers.
"It is a real boost for our club and for country rugby," Wyber said.
"It is a good reward for our club and encouragement for the young guys that have stuck with us.
"They have shown that it is no longer necessary to play for Dunedin clubs to make the Otago team and this has encouraged young guys to come back from Dunedin."
Also on the bench is former Warriors rugby league player Michael Witt, who wants to make the Highlanders squad for the Super 14 next year.
The Otago team will be captained by No 8 Steven Setephano.
Otago coach Steve Martin wants to change the attitude of the Otago team this year by developing a winning culture.
Otago won only four if its 10 games in the Air New Zealand Cup last year.
Today's game against North Otago will be the first hit-out of the season for the Otago team, which is building for the Ranfurly Shield challenge against Wellington on July 31.
Martin pulled no punches when asked what he wants to get out of the game.
"We want to win, and to win convincingly," he said.
The team has been together for a week and has concentrated on putting together a game plan.
"We want to ensure that the plan we are putting into place works," Martin said.
"To do this, we must put our pattern into action and make sure it is successful."
Martin has always adopted an attacking philosophy but the change this year will be to carry the ball downfield more.
Martin has named a squad of 24 for the game and everyone will get a run.
It will not be counted as a first-class game.
Otago will play Mid Canterbury (July 11), Tasman (July 18) and Southland (July 24) in other pre-season matches.
• OTAGO v N OTAGO
Otago: Ben Smith, Karne Hesketh, Andrew Parata, Luke Herden, Lucky Mulipola, Chris Noakes, James Kenny, Steven Setephano (captain), Eben Joubert, Hoani Matenga, Hayden Triggs, Seko Qaraniqio, Sam Hibbard, Peter Mirrielees, Ben Nolan.
- Reserves: Ben Pereira, Keith Cameron, Charlie O'Connell, Paul Grant, Sean Romans, Sam Young, Glenn Dickson, Michael Witt, Adam Hill.
North Otago: Tim Milmine, Hamish Clare, Ekeroma Sefo, Lemi Masoe, Lisiate Lea, Peter Breen, Nick Webster; Joe Mamea (c), Paulo Fonokalafi, Samisoni Tongotongo, Jason Millns, Cowan Finch, Ralph Darling, Mike Essex, John Blakely.
- Reserves: Josh Collier, Rangi Hepi, Tavite Mafi, Duncan Nuad, Ulisoni Tahitua, Brendan Gray, Jason Forrest, Hamish McKenzie, Isitola Hafoka, Jone Paumau, Wahari Waitohi.
