The St George Illawarra Dragons have been informed that the fixed schedule draw for the 2015 Premiership will be finalised in mid-December.
NRL Head of Commercial Paul Kind said this would give rugby league members and fans two-and-a-half months to plan for the start of the season, which kicks off on Thursday, March 5.
Kind said developing the fan-friendly fixed season schedule was complex and the NRL and its broadcast partners, Nine and FOX Sports were in the final stages.
"We listened to our members and fans who told us loud and clear in 2012 that they wanted a fixed season schedule," said Kind.
"This was the number one goal for members and clubs so they had certainty for the vast majority of the season."
In securing a fixed draw in 2012, the NRL agreed to allow the broadcast partners to select matches after the Grand Final at the end of the season.
“While this means it’s not possible to deliver a draw before December, our fans now know the date of their team’s matches right up to the end of July, which allows them to plan their year,” said Kind.
The Dragons will compete in three countries across two hemispheres after previously announcing their pre-season fixtures for 2015.
The Dragons first hit-out of the pre-season will be the second annual NRL Auckland Nines tournament which will take place at Eden Park, Auckland across Saturday, January 31 and Sunday, February 1.
The Red-and-Whites will compete within the Rangitoto pool against the Parramatta Eels, Newcastle Knights and Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles.
The Dragons will then compete in the traditional Charity Shield match against reigning Premiers the South Sydney Rabbitohs, to be held at ANZ Stadium, Olympic Park on the evening of Saturday, February 7.
The Dragons will then travel north of the equator to take part in the inaugural World Club Series after being invited to compete against European Super League opponents Warrington Wolves at The Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington on Friday, February 20.
