NRL: Eels to face Dragons in 2010 opener

Parramatta and St George will kick off next year’s NRL season on March 12 at Parramatta Stadium. Photo / Getty Images

SYDNEY - Parramatta and St George Illawarra will kick-off the 2010 NRL season on Friday, March 12 at Parramatta Stadium.

The NRL released the dates and times of matches for the first five rounds of the competition yesterday, with Brisbane and North Queensland launching the season in Queensland at Suncorp Stadium on the same night.

Canterbury, Cronulla and Penrith will host the first Saturday clashes against Newcastle, Melbourne and Canberra respectively.

Gold Coast will welcome the Warriors for the first Sunday fixture of the season, with South Sydney facing the Sydney Roosters at ANZ Stadium in the 3pm (AEDT) game.

Monday night football in 2010 gets underway with the Wests Tigers against Manly at the Sydney Football Stadium.

Defending premiers Melbourne will play their first home fixture at Etihad Stadium before moving to their new stadium in May.

The Storm will host the Dragons in round four on the afternoon of Good Friday.

It will give the club a real opportunity of pulling in a bumper crowd with no AFL fixtures taking place that day.

- AAP