Northern United, under new coach Dallas Waters, will start the shortened 2020 NRRRL season with a home match against last year's Grand Final runners-up Mullumbimby Mustangs at Crozier Field, Lismore, on Sunday at 3pm.

"It is pretty exciting to actually be playing this weekend," Waters said.

Waters said his squad, the majority of which is last season's playing roster, has only had two to three weeks of training at Clifford Park, Goonellabah.

"The balance of this side will good and will finalise the squad later this week. It will be quite an experienced squad, blended with the youth" he said.

Waters hinted that he had added experience to his squad, which dazzled opponents at times last season, able to put on tries at will, but also suffering from lapses of concentration.

First Grade kick off is at 3pm, with the women's tag competition starting at 11.15am. The Dirrawongs have to implement social distancing and limit crowd numbers.

107 days Coronavirus free but Casula in Sydney and Victoria could end the run

Marist Brothers Rams, under new coach Mark Sivewright, travel to Casino to play the Cougars, who are being coached for the first time by former Canterbury-Bankstown, St George and Western Suburbs back Jason Alchin.

"We have all stuck pretty good together and trained pretty consistently taking into account the restrictions caused by the virus," said Sivewright.

"We worked the boys hard at the start of the year and it was a case of keeping them motivated and everyone's fighting fit and in contention for the squad.

"I have 21/22 players and have to whittle that down to 17 for the match.

"It is very exciting to know that we are actually going to be playing."

Marist Brothers have recruited former Marist Brothers Juniors and players to the squad with brothers Kyle, Aiden and Lachlan; Lennon Bartlett, Leon King, Isaac Lee, brothers Dane, Hugh and Simon Pratt and Mitch Kruse.

Sixteen senior players played the Burleigh 9s competition on March 14. Picture: Marist Brothers Rams Lismore

The 2020 NRRL season has been reduced to 10 clubs with Evans Head, Kyogle and Lower Clarence deciding to opt out this season. There will be 10 rounds with a full finals series, ending with the Grand Final on October 18.

NRRRL secretary Tanya Booth said the organisation was "happy that it finally happening".

"It is better late than never and a lot of work has been undertaken by volunteers from the clubs to ensure we can start this weekend."

NRRRL 2020 Round 1 (First Grade, Sunday 3pm)

Northern United v Mullumbimby, Crozier Field;

Casino v Marist Brothers, Queen Elizabeth Park;

Bilambil v Ballina, Bilambil Sports Complex;

Tweed Coast v Murwillumbah, Les Burger Fields;

Byron Bay v Cudgen, Red Devil Park.

The matches will be split into four quarters, with a two minute break for drinks.

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