The match will be the first of the season for both sides after last week's rain saw four of five fixtures washed out.

Olsen has been pleased with his team's efforts throughout the pre-season and in trial games, however he recognises there is little one can do to prepare for the competition proper.

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"We're excited to get out there and try what we've been working on in pre-season," Olsen said. "There's been a big build up to the season this year, we started training in early January.

"We're excited to play against good opposition in Shamrocks, they're always a top-four team. We know what we're up against, they like to play a physically dominant game in the forwards and be competitive at the breakdown."

The Tahs have experienced considerable player turnover this year, with Olsen prepared for some early-season growing pains.

With five-eighth Pat Logan returning to the club after a stint in Wagga, the coach has his sights set on a return to the finals.

"This year all we've been saying is we want to make the finals. We want to win more games than we lose and hopefully that is good enough to make the top four."

Saturday's second round of action will also see Vikings host Avondale in an early-season showdown, with Uni embarking on a tough roadtrip to Bowral. Camden will face Campbelltown in the local derby, with Shoalhaven's clash with Kiama scheduled for July.