The 2026 Super Rugby Women's season is finally here as the NSW Waratahs look to defend their crown.
The defending champions open the season against the Fijiana Drua in Sydney on Saturday, the only other team to claim the title.
Watch every second of the 2026 Super Rugby Women's season live and on demand via Stan Sport.
This is followed by the Queensland Reds hosting the ACT Brumbies at Ballymore on Sunday, with the Reds looking to go one better than 2025.
The Western Force start their season with the bye, before facing the Fijian Drua next week.
Check out all the details for the Super Rugby Pacific teams for round one as they drop.
The NSW Waratahs will enter the season without all-time leading try-scorer Maya Stewart, out with injury.
Amelia Whitaker takes her spot on the wing as part of a revamped backline from last year, with Wallaroos debutant Piper Simons and Dutch international Pleuni Kievit in the halves as World Cup standout Caitlyn Halse returns from injury at fullback.
Leilani Nathan returns from injury in the second-row, with her sister Nicole starting at number eight.
On the bench, Edie Burke, daughter of Waratahs great Matt, is one of four in line for their debuts via the bench.
As for the Drua, it's a brand-new team this year, with 10 new faces set for their club debuts.
Winger Aqela Raitubu is one of several making their Drua debut with Test experience, joined in the backline by Varanisese Qoro and Ivamere Rokowati.
Karavaki Lutumaibau starts in the second row alongside Mereoni Nakesa, while there are five on the bench set for their first appearances in Super Rugby W.
Veteran hooker Bitila Tawake skippers the side in the front row, with Tawake, Karalaini Naisewa, Evivi Senikarivi and Kolora Lomani the four remaining starters from the last title-winning team in 2023.
WARATAHS (1-15): Brianna Hoy, Adiana Talakai, Bridie O'Gorman, Leilani Nathan, Kaitlan Leaney, Piper Duck, Emily Chancellor (c), Nicole Nathan, Piper Simons, Pleuni Klevit, Desiree Miller, Rosie Ferguson, Georgina Friedrichs, Amelia Whitaker, Caitlyn Halse
Replacements: Brittany Merlo, Emily Robinson, Seneti Kilisimasi, Grace Gillies, Taj Heald, Martha Harvey, Edie Burke, Lusiana Vesikula
DRUA (1-15): Karalaini Naisewa, Bitila Tawake (c), Tiana Robanakadavu, Mereoni Nakesa, Karavaki Lutumaibau, Carletta Yee, Nunia Daunimoala, Alfreda Fisher, Evivi Senikarivi, Varanisese Qoro, Aqela Raitubu, Josivini Naihamu, Ivamere Rokowati, Kolora Lomani, Litiana Vueti
Replacements: Keleni Marawa, Zipporah Sorokacika, Keri Lawavou, Vilisi Tivalele, Salaseini Railumu, Vatiseva Cavuru, Ruth Raketekete, Michella’e Stolz
The Reds have named new flyhalf Akira Kelly to start alongside halves partner Sarah Dougherty.
Wallaroos debutant Dillyn Blackburn has been selected at lock alongside Deni Ross, who returns from a stint in England.
Black Ferns prop Tanya Kalounivale will make her club debut off the bench, with Eva Karpani retaining her spot in the starting side.
Meanwhile, the Brumbies have picked Japanese international Wako Kitano to start in the front-row.
The starting side also includes new recruit Ivania Wong on the wing, with Spanish international Anna Fernandez de Corres partnering Ella Ryan in the halves.
Wallaroos backrower Tabua Tuinakauvadra makes her return from injury via the bench.
She is joined by new recruit Mille Parker, with five further set to make their Super Rugby W debuts.
REDS (1-15): Jordan Neal, Mary Tuaana, Eva Karpani, Deni Ross, Dillyn Blackburn, Jemma Bemrose (c), Zoe Hanna, Tiarna Molloy, Sarah Dougherty, Akira Kelly, Piper Flynn, Ava Wereta, Harmony Vatau, Aroha Spillane, Lori Cramer
Replacements: Zophronia Setu, Bree-Anna Browne, Tanya Kalounivale, Vineta Teutau, Lucy Thorpe, Evie Sampson, Briana Dascombe, Kaelyn Passi
BRUMBIES (1-15): Martha Fua, Tania Naden, Wako Kitano, Ash Fernandez, Jess Grant, Lily Bone, Rayna Ellis, Siokapesi Palu Sekona, Anne Fernandez de Corres, Ella Ryan, Ivania Wong, Merania Paraone, Bonnie Brewer, Ash Bishop, Faitala Moleka
Replacements: Millie Parker, Linda Emelio, Jane Morrison, Easter Savelio, Tabua Tuinakauvadra, Georgie Hayes, Makenna Ravouvou, Paua Lee Going
