The 15th season of the Serbian Rugby League championship kicks off on Sunday with one of the opening games a re-run of last year’s Grand Final.

Dorćol, the defending champions and winners of the crown an astonishing 13 times, will take on Partizan.

The Serbian first division will again feature six clubs competing in 10 rounds of home and away fixtures, after which play-offs will lead to a Grand Final.

“It was an historic year for us but we are not ready to give up the silverware,” says Dorćol captain Dalibor Vukanović, who will again serve both as a player and the coach.  

“We are aware that everybody will target us, it’s always harder to defend a title than to win it. Also the big challenge for us will be handing the chance to some younger players at the same time.”

Red Star, who beat Dorćol in last week’s Super Cup, open their campaign hosting city rivals Tašmajdan Tigers, while there is also a derby between Radnički Niš and Radnički Nova Pazova.