Rugby union: The women take centre stage on the rugby field this week as the Water Rats look to climb up the ladder.

The side heads to Heritage Park, Toowoomba on Saturday for the latest instalment of the 7's carnival.

The women's Water Rats currently sit in fourth on the competition ladder, but can climb to as high as second if results go their way.

With the grand final pitting the top two placed teams against each other, it is vital that the side can make the most of the last three fixtures.

Head coach Lauren Quinlan expects her team to put up a strong performance at the weekend.

"We've been handed with a pretty good draw,” she said.

"We play Goondiwindi and the USQ Saints in our pool games, who we've performed well against previously this season.

"Hopefully we can take some confidence from past performances and show that on Saturday.”

A win against both sides would see the women head into the decider for first spot, something Quinlan said is vital if they're to make the all-important top two.

"The battle for second spot is really tight at the moment, so it's really important that we perform well on Saturday,” she said.

Quinlan said her team has been pushing towards improving on their last-start third in Dalby.

"We've been working really hard at training, particularly on our set plays and our defence,” she said.

"A few of the side hadn't played before this season, so they're getting better and better with each week, and really growing in confidence on the field.”

The Toowoomba Bears head into the carnival as red-hot favourites, having claimed all three events to date.