By TOM PRIMMER

The race for the Hospital Cup kicks off this weekend in Brisbane with Brothers and Uni of Queensland again leading the top fancies.

In the games Norths will take on Uni of Queensland, Souths will play Brothers while GPS will play Wests and Sunnybank take on Easts.

Here’s a look at all the games:

Norths v University of Queensland | Hugh Courtney Oval | 3:30pm

Norths will host defending premiers the University of Queensland on Saturday, and the Students will be out for revenge after a surprise loss to the Eagles in Round Five last year.

UQ welcome back a number of well-known faces into the 23, with Scott Gale and Con Foley returning to the backline after stints in Major League Rugby in recent years.

The 21-year-old Brad Twidale takes the reigns at flyhalf for the Heavies after dual premiership winner James Dalgleish’s departure to the UK, while in the forwards, Shute Shield standout Connor Vest will make his Queensland Premier debut at lock alongside rising star Fergus Lillicrap.

Norths will be led around the park by a young halves paring in Liam Prendergast and Jacob Prideaux, with Nick Chapman still recovering from shoulder surgery over the Covid-19 break.

Cody Blackhurst captains the side at hooker and will pack down with Tonga Ma’afu, who enters the 2020 season in career best shape after injury problems have hindered his form in recent seasons.

Veteran speedster Veresa Mataitini is back for another campaign on the wing, while former Australian Schoolboy Matt Wilshire will make his club debut at second row for the Eagles.

Souths v Brothers | Chipsy Wood Oval | 3:30pm

After falling just five points short of the premiership last season, Brothers will begin their quest to lift the Hospital Cup in 2020 when they take on Souths on Saturday.

New head coach Todd Dammers has brought a number of talented youngsters into the top grade with him after the club won both the Colts 1 and Colts 2 competitions last year.

Theo Fourie, Phransis Sula-Siaosi and GPS recruit Jonah Polonga will combine to form one of the competition’s youngest but most promising front rows, with Irishman Josh O’Rourke providing experience in the second row.

In the backs, bustling young winger Vilami Lea will start on the wing, while new recruits Roman Prasad and former Romanian international Luke Samoa line up at flyhalf and fullback respectively.

Flyhalf Rohan Saifoloi is back for the Brethren after an outstanding first season at Crosby Park, and will again link up with scrumhalf Rebuen Wall in the halves.

Captain Tom Moloney will start at prop, as prized recruit Dillon Wihongi makes his debut in the butcher’s stripes in the back row.

Former schoolboy star Jangala Bennet has been named to make his Premier Grade debut on the wing alongside veteran Sam Hyne at fullback.

GPS v Wests | Yoku Road | 3:30pm

Yoku Road will play host to the battle of West-Brisbane in Round One as both GPS and Wests look to start their seasons with a win.

Former Queensland Reds playmaker Teti Tela will run on for his first game in the blue and green at flyhalf after a move to Ashgrove from Souths in the off-season, and will partner youngster Cullin Cooper-Jones in the halves.

Josh Collins, Abele Atunaisa and Jono Kent combine to form an electric back three, while outside centre Maaloga Konelio will be looking to build on his strong form in 2019.

Veteran prop Fred Burke is back for another campaign and will pack down alongside hooker Maile Ngauamo in the front row, with Kieren Johnston making the jump from Reserve Grade to fill the boots of the retired Dan Gorman at lock.

For the Bulldogs, Promising flanker Connor Anderson will take over club stalwart Jerry Lynch’s position in the back row alongside new recruit Jeremiah Skelton, with Will Dearden and Rob Puliuvea making up one of the competition’s most potent second rows.

Youngster Jacob Carmichael has been named to make his Premier Grade debut at halfback after the off-season departure of Liam Dillon and will pair with Nicholas Dongi in the halves.

Junior Wallabies squad member Cooper Whiteside will start at fullback after an impressive debut season in 2019.

Sunnybank v Easts | Oldmac Oval | 3:30pm

Sunnybank will kick off their season in front of a home crowd on Saturday as Sione Fukofuka begins his head coaching career at the Bank.

They’ll take on an Easts side featuring a number of big names, with former Wallabies captain Ben Mowen and ex-Reds backrower Michael Gunn featuring in the Tigers pack.

The Covid-19 pandemic has forced Tom Milosevic back to Australia after a professional stint in the UK and he will captain the side from the back row.

Aidan Toua, Dylan Taikato-Simpson and Eli Pilz provide strike power for the Tigers in the backline.

Tom Lucas and Hayden Sargeant loom as key players for the Dragons at fullback and flyhalf respectively, with the duo’s experience at Premier Rugby level and beyond crucial for the side this season.
After overcoming a number of injuries and with a full pre-season under his belt, Zac Shepherd also shapes as an important factor for the Dragons in the second row.

IMAGE: BRENDAN HERTEL / QUEENSLAND RUGBY MEDIA UNIT