Local rivalry is a strong motivator and for the Lions there’s the added motivation of the Kookaburras wresting the Richardson Shield from their grasp last year.

The result though isn’t the focus of the trial and for the Lions it serves a huge purpose in their NSW Country Championship preparations.

It is their only hit-out, and effectively the final opportunity for coaches Jason Lincoln and Dave Schmude to complete the personnel puzzle.

“It’s really our first hit-out and we’re going to treat it as a trial,” Lincoln said.

“We’re going to try different combinations and see what works best.”

As far as the pack goes, he said they’ve “cemented the spine of the scrum”, with Henry Curtin up front, Henry Burridge in the second row and Mike TeMoana at the back.

The Country Player of the Year is a major component of the Lions’ pack.

“We’re looking to Mike to get some metres. He is a damaging runner,” Lincoln said.

They will be captained this year by Alex Smith, who will play on the side of the scrum.

“There’s a lot of enthusiastic young blokes around them,” Lincoln said.

“We’ve got the makings of a good pack.”

New Tamworth recruit Tom Hollis seems to have the half-back job locked in and Lincoln indicated he would partner Luke Perry in the halves.

Perry is stepping up from the U20s last year and has really gained some confidence in recent times.

He also brings a lot of versatility, being capable of playing at inside centre or fullback if required.

The centres is one of the areas Lincoln and Schmude are focusing on cementing.

Out wide is looking to be where their strength is, with the pace of Brenton Montgomery and the elusiveness and great broken field running of John Roberts.

Lincoln and Schmude have a 25-strong squad for today’s trial and will give everyone some time on the field.

Their time together so far has been training but from those sessions Alex Hardie and Hamish Lee-Warner have been two players who have impressed Lincoln and Schmude and will be pushing for berths.

“For us it’s a chance to give the players a good run and see what fits best for the Country Championships,” Lincoln said.

And while whether they win or lose is of little consequence, Lincoln is still looking for a good performance.

The Lions and Kookaburras will also do battle in the U20s from 3pm at Bellevue Oval.

The opens will be in action from 5pm.