NRL 2020 draw: Raiders play Gold Coast Titans at Canberra Stadium in round one

It will be just the fifth time in the past 20 seasons the Raiders have played a round-one game at Canberra Stadium, with full details of the 2020 draw expected to be unveiled on Tuesday.

The Raiders will host the Titans for a 6pm Friday kick-off on March 13 for what will be a blockbuster weekend in the capital.

The ACT Brumbies will play the NSW Waratahs at Canberra Stadium two days later in an afternoon Super Rugby match for what is traditionally their biggest game of the year.

The Brumbies will already be five games into their season before the Raiders get a chance to ease the pain of premiership heartbreak after making their first grand final in 25 years.

Raiders players and fans were left shattered after controversy plagued their six-point loss to the Sydney Roosters three weeks ago.

The city has been stewing on the result since and the clash against the Titans will be the first chance to unleash frustration and move towards a drought-breaking title.

It will be the third year in a row the Raiders have played the Titans in round one and the fourth consecutive year the Raiders have started their season against a Queensland opponent.

Raiders officials also hope to secure an Anzac Day fixture for the first time in almost a decade, and the club's charge to grand final could result in more free-to-air television exposure next year.

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The Raiders haven't started a season at home since 2016 and have played just just four round-one matches at Canberra Stadium since 2001.

They will face a new-look Titans side, who have appointed former Gungahlin Bulls coach Justin Holbrook to the top job after a disastrous run on and off the field.

Holbrook was the Canberra Raiders Cup coach of the year in 2008 and led the Bulls into the grand final before moving his career to England.

The NRL granted the Raiders' wish this year to play most of their home games in the warmer months, playing at Canberra Stadium just four times in the eight-week winter period.

Just one of those three games was played at night, with the NRL moving kick-off times to 1.30pm, 4.05pm and 5.30pm to give fans a chance to avoid the Canberra chill.

It is hoped that will be the case again as the Raiders look to build an even bigger fan base after their finals run and attracting the biggest average home crowd attendances in 24 years.

The NRL season will start with a clash between Parramatta and the Bulldogs on the Thursday night, with the St George-Illawarra Dragons to play the Wests Tigers in the final match of the round-one fixtures.

The Roosters are expected to move the grand final re-match to Perth, but is unknown if the defending premiers will also play a game in Canberra.

The Raiders and Roosters played three times last year, with the Roosters winning every match.

The draw will give the Raiders a chance to map their path back to the grand final, but there is still some uncertainty surrounding the roster.

Jordan Rapana has been linked to Japanese rugby, Joey Leilua is expected to stay in Canberra despite talk of a move to the Bulldogs and Aidan Sezer has been mentioned as a UK Super League target.

Jack Wighton doused speculation about his long-term future last week, while the Raiders will add Englishmen George Williams to their squad.

NRL 2020 DRAW ROUND 1

Thursday, March 12: Eels v Bulldogs at Parramatta, 8.05pm

Friday, March 13: Raiders v Titans at Canberra Stadium, 6pm; Cowboys v Broncos at Townsville Stadium, 8.05pm

Saturday, March 14: Knights v Warriors at Newcastle, 3pm; Rabbitohs v Sharks at ANZ Stadium, 5.30pm; Panthers v Roosters at Panthers Stadium, 7.35pm

Sunday, March 15: Sea Eagles v Storm at Manly, 4.05pm; Dragons v Tigers at Wollongong, 6.15pm