2009 NRL winners Melbourne will start off against 2010 outsiders

Melbourne Storm will begin the defence of their NRL title away at Cronulla Sharks in March, with bookmakers rating them at 8.00 to triumph in 2010.

Runners-up Parramatta are at home to St George Illawarra Dragons and the Bulldogs, second in the 2009 season ladder, are at home to Newcastle Knights.

The Eels, defeated in last month's 2009 grand final, are joint favourites with Sportsbet for next time around, on 5.00 with Manly Sea Eagles.

The Sharks, Melbourne Storm's opponents for the opening round of 2010, are a 34.00 shot for next year's title with the same bookmaker.

While many NRL players are enjoying a spot of rest after a hard season, many go into training camps for the forthcoming Four Nations event this week.

Sportsbet agrees with the rest of the bookies in having Australia as runaway favourites, on 1.25.

New Zealand are next at 6.50, followed by England on 7.00, with France rated as the wild outsiders with every bookmaker, on 151.00 with Sportsbet.

The same site is also offering budding AFL and NRL tipsters the chance to double-bet on who will triumph in both domestic competitions next year.

Sportsbet's double offer includes 21.25 for a St Kilda – Manly AFL-NRL premiership double.