Ahead of the opening weekend of the 2016 National Rugby Championship, all eight captains were asked who they thought the favourites were this season:

Paul Asquith (Western Sydney Rams)

“Brisbane City would have to be favourites. They’ve got a strong outfit with a lot of familiar faces.

“Melbourne will be tough to beat as well. They have been disappointed with their last two finishes and have named a really strong side for round one with lots of depth.”

Sam Carter (Canberra Vikings)

“It’s got to be Brisbane City, doesn’t it? Back to back Champions, and they’ve got most of their squad back, so I’d think they’d have to be the odds-on favourite this year.”

Sam Talakai (Brisbane City)

“I actually think we all start pretty even this season. Other teams will have a bit more depth this year, and that should bring the standard up. It’ll be pretty even across the park, in my opinion.

Matt Lucas (Sydney Rays)

“I think it’s going to be hard to go past Brisbane City. On the back of two successful NRC seasons, and both Queensland teams have put together good squads again.

“Someone like Melbourne off a building Super Rugby year, they’ll be strong as well, but honestly, I think everyone’s in with a chance.”

James Tuttle (Queensland Country)

“I think you’d probably have to say Brisbane City after back-to-back titles, but I think one team that might do well is the NSW Country Eagles.

Paddy Ryan (NSW Country Eagles)

“Look, I think you have to favour the one-team towns; I think Melbourne and Canberra will be quite strong.

Heath Tessmann (Perth Spirit)

“It’s a bit of a tough one to pick this year. Obviously Brisbane City come in having been so successful over the first two season, but then as much as I’m going to sit on the fence a bit, you find positives for most teams.

Dom Shipperley (Melbourne Rising)

“I’d like to think we will; I’ll have to say the Rising. I think coming off a slightly disappointing end to the Super Rugby season, we’ve probably retained a lot more players than people realise; we’re only missing a couple in the Wallabies squad currently and we’ve got a couple back too.”