The Kezie Apps-led St George Illawarra Dragons will meet the Brisbane Broncos and their hallmark signing Millie Boyle in round one of the NRLW draw this weekend.
Boyle will back up from Test appearances for the Wallaroos in rugby union to feature in the forward pack for the defending premiers out of Brisbane.
The NRL confirmed on Sunday night the women's draw, which will see the Dragons and Broncos clash in the opening round at Bankwest Stadium.
The clash will mark the first time the two have shared a field since running on for the Blues in State of Origin on June 21.
The Broncos haven't announced their line-up for the opening round, but it would be hard to imagine Boyle missing a spot after leading the Wallaroos to Test victories as vice-captain of the national squad just last month.
A rising force as a cross-code star, Boyle has been given a bit of freedom by Rugby Australia to showcase her league skills.
Boyle told NRL.com that Rugby Australia had been "very supportive so far" and with her Test duties complete she was now fully in "rugby league mode".
Since her Blues appearance, Boyle said that it was exciting to be sought for the NRL women's draw.
"I guess it makes you feel special that clubs want you to play for them," Boyle said.
"Kelvin Wright who is the coach for the Broncos, he coaches the Tweed team in the south-east Queensland comp and he has seen me play. I can't wait to get in and play with the girls, there is an exciting bunch of talent coming through."
Meanwhile, Apps will head the St George squad, who have been dubbed as favourites for the draw.
"[Being seen as favourites] feels pretty good, we do have a really good side," she said in an interview, adding "I don't really like that tag, we see Broncos as still the team we want to beat."
She went on to say the Dragons were preparing for the "short and sharp" three-week competition where there would be no second chances to get it right.
"The quality of footy is just growing in leaps and bounds, it's going to keep building each year," Apps said.
Officials from the Illawarra club said the confirmed draw meant the Warriors will host St George Illawarra at Mt Smart Stadium as a standalone fixture in round two, while the Roosters and Dragons will play at Leichhardt Oval on September 29.
The NRLW grand final will run ahead of the Tesltra Premiership grand final on October 6 at ANZ Stadium.
All matches in the NRLW season will be shown free to air through the Nine Network and GEM, while matches will also run live for Foxtel subsribers.
