It is a big year for the Marist Brothers Rams in the upcoming 2026 NRRRL season.

The club will open their 2026 account in trial matches on Saturday when they host the Burleigh Bears.

The matches will take place at Crozier Field starting at 6:00pm.

The reason for the late start is that the Northern Rivers Titans representative teams will take on the Greater Northern Tigers in a huge day of action.

The day will start with the Open Women's Titans kicking off at 11:00am, followed by the U/17 Women's Lisa Fiaola Cup at 12:20pm

In what should be a cracking game of rugby league, the Open Men's Northern Rivers Titans will play the North Coast Bulldogs at 2:00pm before Brothers play their trial at 6:00pm.

The second preseason matches that the club will host will be on Saturday 28 March against Mullumbimby

The first match of the NRRRL season will be against the Byron Bay Red Devils in Byron before the clubs first home game against the Evans Head Bombers in Round 2 on Sunday 19 April.

The First Grade side will be out to defend their 2025 premiership, and every other NRRRL side looking to topple the champions.

Adding to the trophy cabinet, the side recently took out the Team of the Year at Lismore's Australia Day awards.

The team will look a little different in 2026, with several players departing due to retirement, moving to other clubs or leaving the area.

Brothers have lost Noah King, Mitchell Krause, Damon Caldwell, Latrell Hampton and Sam McRae, but have gained handy assets in Simon Pratt who returns to the club and Alistair Faulkner.

Coach Darryl Butcher is excited about several of last year's U/18's making the step up to grade with James Cremona, Luca Bonomini and Tyler Murphy all impressing in the preseason.

"It has been an enjoyable preseason with the energy high, and we are excited for the month ahead to start shaping our skills ready for our Round 1 clash with Byron Bay" Butcher said.

The Marist Brothers Junior club will also contest several trial matches prior to embarking on their season as well.

The first trial games will take place on Sunday 8 March, when all teams travel to Bilambil to take on the Jets in all grades.

Two weeks later, on Saturday 28 March, the Coffs Harbour Comets will venture north to take on the junior Rams at Crozier Field, with the club's Gala Day taking place on Sunday 29 March.