RUGBY LEAGUE: He has played in 127 NRL games and 88 English Super League matches, and tonight, Travis Burns will contest his first Barrett Shield.

Burns wore the green and gold of Wattles as a junior, and after 17 years, he will make the return to the club where it started in his final year of football.

Burns said he was looking forward to ending his career at the club, as well as playing in his first Barrett Shield as a senior.

"I'm excited to be finishing my career at a club that has been good to me,” he said.

"It's a trial, but just speak to anyone and they'll tell you it's more than that.

"It's held in high regard and I'm looking forward to it.”

Burns said his side won't take tonight's fixture lightly, as players look to start the season well, after beginning 2017 with just two wins from six games.

"We want to hit the ground running this year,” he said.

"We've got new players, new structures and new combos, so it can take a bit of time.

"It will take a few weeks of grinding out wins before we can play some free-flowing football.”

Warwick captain Mick Bloomfield said he wanted to lead from the front, as his side looks to retain the Barrett Shield for the fourth successive year.

"There's excitement and a few nerves. It will be good to get out on the field and blow the cobwebs out,” Bloomfield said.

"The rivalry has always been there which makes this game special.

"We have a few new players, but ... everyone is out to do their job.

"There are a lot of Warwick boys in our team, and we know how everyone plays.”