With the sport returning to Harvey Hadden and the introduction of old rivals Coventry Bears into the league, all eyes were on the dates for the first home game of the season and when Nottingham and Coventry would lock horns for the first time since 2008.
But the club will have to play three away games before hosting Hemel Stags on Saturday 21st May for the inaugural RLCN game at the Outlaws’ new home.
And supporters will have to wait until round 8 to see the mouth-watering prospect of taking on the Bears again.
But Nottingham chairman Richard Johnson is not concerned and believes it will all be worth the wait.
He said: “The fixtures were due to be confirmed not so long ago but unfortunately Gateshead had to withdraw from the league so it was back to the drawing board for the RFL and now we have this set of fixtures which certainly gives a build up to the key dates for our fans.
“I think it is fair to say the dates they will look for are our first home fixture and the matches against Coventry.
“We have had a major shake-up in the winter with Rugby League returning ‘home’ to Harvey Hadden Stadium and Martin Crick deciding to step down from his duties as Head Coach and to add to the suspense of RLCN games getting going for 2011, we have to wait until round 4 to play in front of our home supporters.
“But it will definitely be worth the wait for everyone concerned and I cannot wait for the players to run out in front of the fantastic home support we receive – hopefully off the back of three away wins against some tough competition.
“And of course this season we have the added spice of playing Coventry for the first time in three years but again, while we will have to wait for the game with it being in June, it will definitely be worth it and it is one fixture I am personally looking forward to.”
The Outlaws kick off their campaign with an away trip to Dewsbury Celtic on Saturday 30th April but Outlaws’ forward George Strachan insists revenge will not be on the players minds after suffering their biggest defeat of the season their last year.
He said: “The game is significant as it’s the first step on a long campaign and a test of where we are at and how far we've come as a group. We've trained really well and the mood in camp is high so its key we carry this momentum into the game versus Celtic. Dewsbury have a fantastic team spirit and are always more than the sum of their parts and its something we admire and we are trying to create something similar down here.”
“The coaching team have been keen to stress teams will be picked on merit and competition in training is intense. We all know that being the incumbent in any Outlaws jersey is a chance to prove you're worthy of pulling on the green and blue vee and everyone wants to be in the 17 come April 30th.”
Nottingham end the season at home on Saturday 3rd September to 2010 Grand Final winners Warrington Wizards but Strachan is confident the club will have wrapped up a play-off position by then.
He added: "We missed out on the play-offs last year after making them in our first year in the competition and it was disappointing not to be involved.
"I just want to play Rugby League all year long and play as many games as possible and that means getting a top 6 finish and making a run to the Grand Final - something this group of players are capable of.
"Getting back into the play-offs is one of our goals for the season and the mood at the club is a confident one and hopefully the Outlaws will secure a home game or two in the play-offs come September."
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