The Dragons, coached by Albion Park-Oak Flats' Adam Bezzina, will take on Greater Southern Region Tigers at Camden's Kirkham Park - marking the first time this competition has run, replacing the CRL's women's league tag championships.

"As it's the first year, the whole thing is a little bit of an unknown," Bezzina said.

"In saying that, it's a very exciting time for the sport of rugby league, especially in terms of the women's game.

"There's plenty of talent out there across the state and this competition offers a platform for them to showcase their abilities."

In the lead up their the first match, the side, captained by Bega's Kezie Apps, have gone through four training sessions.

"Obviously you'd always want more time with the group, but they have really come together well," Bezzina said.

"With so many of these girls having played together and against each other for years, they know how each other approach the game.

"The fact the Illawarra has had a women's competition for seven years, is a strength we used be able to use to our advantage, as so many girls having been playing top quality league for a number of seasons."

Another advantage for Bezzina will be the fact he has a number of St George Illawarra Dragons players at his disposal, such as Apps, Keeley Davis, Josie Strong and Talia Atfield - with the latter two being Group Seven products.

"Having those girls who have played in the NRL and for the Jillaroos is a massive advantage for the side and will help lift everyone else's games," Bezzina said.

"And for girls like Talia [Atfield} and Josie [Strong] who didn't actually get a game during the women's NRL season, it's a good opportunity for them to step up and prove themselves.

"I'm also looking forward to seeing what players such as Caitlin Cardwell, who has replaced Rikeya Horne, and Emma Walters can do at this level."

This tournament, which includes two rounds before semi-final and a grand final, acts as a selection trial for girls to press higher honours.

"After the CRL Country Championships, a NSW Country side will be picked to play at the national championships on the Gold Coast," Bezzina said.

"From that nationals, they will pick the NSW squad for State of Origin - so a defined pathway is there for the girls if they want to pursue it."

While Bezzina is quietly confident his team his team can make the finals, it all starts on Saturday against the Tigers - a side he knows very little about.

"Some of the Tigers girls have played in the Illawarra competition before while some have only played in the November Nines, so it's hard to get a gauge on them until Saturday," he said.

"In saying that, we just need to concentrate on what we do and do it well, especially as the halves are only 25 minutes long, meaning completing our sets will be crucial."

Joining Apps in the forward pack will be Erin Blackwell, Olivia Barry, Jennifer Latu, Zoe Smith and Jasmine Sarin, while the backs include Brittany Constable, Caitlin Cardwell, Maddi Alderdice, Josie Strong, Emma Walters, Kelley Davis and Rachael Pearson.

Starting on the bench will be Talia Atfield, Angielina Amone, Katrina Latu, Nikitah Wilson and Shakiah Tungai.

The other senior Dragons team to take to Kirkham Park on Saturday will be Wade Forrester's under 23s side, who will battle the Tigers at 2pm - following the conclusion of the women's match.

Forrester's side is headlined by Group Seven's Jye Brooker, Donte Efaraimo, Nick Greenhalgh, Wayde Aitken, Jayden Morgan, Max Wolfson, Kade Sampson (all Shellharbour), Cam Vazzoler, Luke Chalker, Tom Angel (all Kiama), Tyson Simpson (Nowra-Bomaderry) and Tyler Clark (Milton-Ulladulla) - with Warilla-Lake South junior Blake Dowel and Kiama product Juvilee Samiu also in the squad.

Rounding out thew team are Thirroul's Cooper Purcell, Collegians' Cameron Scott, Wests' Michael Applebee and Helenburgh's Tristan Alvardo.

Both the Andrew Johns and Laurie Daley Cups Dragons sides will also battle the Tigers this Saturday, in round four of their respective competitions.