Broncos, Queensland contingent join NSW women in season return

A strong contingent of Brisbane's victorious NRLW side will return to local rugby league action with the Holcim Cup getting underway in south-east Queensland on Saturday. 

The COVID-19 pandemic saw the QRL's newly formed BHP Premiership cancelled in March with the state's governing body instead staging a five-round competition ahead of the NRLW in October.

Among the stars to return to the paddock include incumbent Broncos Tazmin Gray, Julia Robinson, Meg Ward, Steph Hancock, Tamika Upton, Tarryn Aiken, Jessika Elliston and Chelsea Baker.

Aiken will play her first game back since suffering a nasty ankle injury in the NRL Nines tournament in February.

Queensland-based Roosters winger Karina Brown and Brittany Breayley (Dragons) will both run out for the Burleigh Bears.

The Bears face the Tigers and Seagulls in round one on Saturday, while the Panthers meet the Magpies in a key change to the format and point-scoring system for the makeshift competition.

The season's resumption for the women follows the NSWRL resuming the Harvey Norman Women's Premiership a fortnight ago with round three to start on Saturday.

All players from both states will move to their NRLW clubs at the completion of their state competitions.

Australian-based NRLW players' club sides in 2020

Holcim Cup (Queensland)

Burleigh Bears: Karina Brown, Brittany Breayley, Tazmin Gray

Easts Tigers: Nil.

Souths Logan Magpies: Tamika Upton, Meg Ward, Steph Hancock 

Tweed Seagulls: Tarryn Aiken, Chelsea Baker, Jessika Elliston

West Brisbane Panthers: Julia Robinson

Harvey Norman Women's Premiership (NSW)

Central Coast Roosters: Jayme Fressard, Mel Howard, Caitlan Johnston, Isabelle Kelly, Bobbi Law, Brydie Parker, Hannah Southwell

North Sydney: Kirra Dibb, Nita Maynard, Teuila Fotu-Moala, Aliti Namoce, Shanice Parker, Shontelle Stowers, Holli Wheeler*

Bulldogs: Quincy Dodd, Aaliyah Fasavalu-Fa'amausili, Rikeya Horne, Sarah Togatuki, Maddison Weatherall

Sharks: Keeley Davis, Corban McGregor, Tiana Penitani, Maddie Studdon, Kiana Takairangi

Rabbitohs: Jasmin Allende, Shaylee Bent, Nakia Davis-Welsh

Wests Tigers: Botille Vette-Welsh, Raecene McGregor

Wentworthville Magpies: Vanessa Foliaki

*Denotes injured