The Western Rams region will host three NRL premiership matches in 2021 as part of the game's push to "reinvigorate country rugby league".
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The South Sydney Rabbitohs had confirmed last month they were bringing a match to Dubbo's Apex Oval next year while the Penrith Panthers will again play in Bathurst as part of their long-term agreement with the city.
But Mudgee's Glen Willow Regional Sport Complex will also be part of the action, with it confirmed on Wednesday the Manly Sea Eagles would be taking a game to the Mid-West town.
Glen Willow will also host the annual Charity Shield fixture between the Rabbitohs and St George Illawarra Dragons on February 27.
In total, six regular season games will be played in regional areas with the Wests Tigers returning to Tamworth, the Canberra Raiders heading back to Wagga, and the Cronulla Sharks heading north to Coffs Harbour.
READ ALSO:
The dates and opposition for the matches will be confirmed on Thursday when the 2021 NRL draw is released.
"I made a promise to regional NSW that we would take games back to the bush as soon as the competition returned to normality," ARL Commission chairman Peter V'landys said on Wednesday.
"The infection rate is now zero so we will deliver on that promise and schedule NRL games in six different towns.
"Nowhere is rugby league stronger than in our regions. This year COVID meant we were only able to take one game to regional NSW, so we will make good on that with six games next year.
"One of the Commission's major objectives in the next three years is to reinvigorate country rugby league. Accordingly there is no better way than to take the game's stars to country heartland and inspire participation at all levels."
V'Landys thanked NSW deputy premier John Barilaro for his support, with the state government having set-up an NRL Regional Taskforce headed by Dubbo MP Dugald Saunders.
"The NRL and the NSW Government have been working closely together to make this happen," Saunders said.
"This is a win for the regions and we hope to expand this by hosting more regionally based NRL games in the future."