BORDER Rugby League president Norm Crisp is upbeat about the start of the season on May 6.

"The four clubs have all assured me they are right for numbers,” he said.

"There will be no women's leaguetag this season but we are hopeful of re-introducing it in 2018.

"Wallangarra is in recess for the season. They had plenty of women for leaguetag but couldn't get enough men for A grade.”

In round 1, Killarney will host Tenterfield and Stanthorpe are at home to Inglewood.

In a brilliant start to the season, the Border Bushrangers won the South West Country trials at Miles with wins against Roma and District and the Western Ringers.

Inglewood captain-coach Brent Osborne coached the team to what was believed to be the first Border victory at the trials.

Following the trials, Border players were selected for the South West Country team to play in the 47th Battalion carnival in Yeppoon at the weekend.

Brent Hearne, Jamie Meddings, Jake Charles, Brandon Sauverain (Inglewood), Brett Watts, Jamie Watts and Ian Brown (Killarney) all played in Yeppoon.

Inglewood beat Tenterfield in last year's BRL grand final and will play A grade in the BRL along with Killarney and Stanthorpe.

Brendan Minns is Tenterfield coach and Gary Skimmings is coach of a Stanthorpe team which is back in the competition in their own right after combining with Texas last season.

The Killarney Cutters have boosted player numbers since last season and can't wait for their first game against Tenterfield on May 6 at Killarney.

"The Cutters have signed 33 players and hope to have 20 plus at each game,” president Aaron McKinney said.

"The return of the Watts brothers, Brett and Jamie, has been a great boost to the club and both impressed in trials at Miles to make the South West Country side.”

McKinney said going on what he had seen in the round robin, Inglewood would be the team to beat.

"Their team hasn't changed a lot since last season, they still have a handy team.”

Off the field, McKinney said there was a good buzz for the Cutters.

"Everyone in Killarney is keen for the footy to start. The support local businesses has shown so far this season is outstanding. Most of the committee is new so it is good to get more people involved.”

With four teams in the competition and three playing finals footy, the minor premiers will gain the right to host the grand final which is a great incentive to finish on top of the table.

A number of players down the years have joined their hometown clubs in the Border Rugby League the day they turn 17, the minimum age to play senior footy in the Queensland Rugby League.

A four-page liftout with draws for the rest of the season in senior and junior rugby league from Clifton to Tenterfield was printed in the Daily News on Saturday.