The draw for the 2021 season was released on Thursday and it features what shapes as a blockbuster Bathurst derby between Pat's and Panthers in round one.

That season opening derby has been set for Saturday, April 24 which means when Pat's host Panthers at Jack Arrow Oval they'll not only be looking to upset the two-time defending premiers.

The Saints will also be looking to win the ANZAC Day Rugby League Memorial Trophy for the first time in six years.

Since the trophy first went on the line in 2014 it has been Panthers who have dominated the contest - they've won the last four editions. However, they've had to fight hard in a match which has become renowned for its passion.

"I think I've been a part of it once since I've been back and Panthers have had the bragging rights for it the last few years, but it's been a very close game," Merritt said.

"We've got some good, young kids coming back and I know they'll be up for the challenge. The blokes we've got staying on board from last year will definitely be up for the challenge too, so we'll be coming ready to play and we'll leave it all on the line for the ANZACs and for ourselves

"There'll be plenty of passion getting thrown around I'd say."

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While not contested in 2020 given the season was cancelled due to COVID-19, the 2019 ANAZC Day Rugby League Memorial Trophy match decided by just two points as Panthers prevailed 22-20.

Facing Panthers in the opening round is the start of a tough beginning to 2021 for the Saints. After meeting the men in black they'll face an away match against Orange Hawks then host 2019 grand finalists Mudgee.

"It's exciting, there's no better test than coming up against the two-time defending premiers first up. We'll see where we are when we start off the season," Merritt said.

"I'd like to get it under our belt as a win and really give the boys some confidence the first couple of games competing against those top teams.

"It's tough straight up, they're all good sides, but I don't mind that. That's good we come in, we know that we've got tough games straight up and to be honest, any game in Group 10 is pretty tough, every team is pretty strong.

"But three top-class teams, we'll definitely see where we are at come the start of the year, that's for sure."

Just Merritt is excited about the Saints' start to the season, Panthers also have a bumper fortnight to klck-start their bid for a third consecutive premier league crown.

After facing the Saints in round one, they'll play at Orange CYMS at Carrington Park in round two in a match which will act as a curtain-raiser to the Penrith Panthers and Manly Sea Eagles' NRL game at Carrington Park.

Group 10 chairman Linore Zamparini said the choice to pit Doug Hewitt's men against the Daniel Mortimer led CYMS in that match was deliberate.

"It's no good putting the Panthers up against a side they're going to walk over," he said.

"There's going to be a lot of people there watching the NRL that night so we want our game to be as high-quality as possible.

"We really want it to be a spectacle."

The Group 10 versus Group 11 match has been slated for Saturday, May 22, while Group 10 has also scheduled August 1 as a day to reschedule any matches postponed due to bad weather.

Before the season, which runs for 14 rounds followed by a four-week final series, kicks off there will be another highlight.

The Group 10 versus Group 11 Indigenous All Stars clash will be played at Cowra on the weekend of April 10-11.

"We've got it going at Cowra again and we're really excited about that," Zamparini said.

"We did everything we could to have it this year but it was just impossible. There's a lot of Indigenous people out at Cowra and it's been a really big success there in the past."