The Dubbo MP was on deck on Monday when it was announced Tamworth would host the NRL clash between the Warriors and Knights later this month, describing it as "a new way forward for rugby league in regional areas".

The plan is to have NRL sides in regional areas more often from 2021, for either pre-season or regular season matches.

The taskforce wants to share those matches around the state but given the quality of facilities in the western area there is a chance games could be played here more regularly.

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Bathurst already has a deal to host a Penrith Panthers' game each year until 2028 and Mudgee will again be home to the Charity Shield match next year while Saunders confirmed on Monday an NRL match would be in Dubbo in 2021 as well.

Orange's Wade Park has previously hosted NRL pre-season fixtures while smaller venues like Parkes are also potential venues for pre-season fixtures.

"You probably aren't going to have premiership games right next to each other in a single year," Saunders admitted.

"But you might, there could be one at the start of the year and one at the end. But the other thing is the reality of regional areas being able to facilitate that year in, year out.

"If it's every couple of years you get a top-flight game and in between you get a pre-season game or whatever it is, there needs to be a mix so it is shared well.

"But at the end of the day it needs to done in a sustainable way rather than whatever council is bidding the most money."

Saunders said the taskforce would be open to an NRL club developing a bond with a town or city and regularly having matches played there, as well.

The Warriors and Knights will do battle at Tamworth on Saturday, August 29.

Any fans in the Dubbo region who wish to make the trip to Scully Park may be out of luck though after Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson said the crowd would be restricted to locals to help stop the spread of coronavirus.

"My understanding is that tickets will be limited to postcode only, so no Sydney or Hunter Valley visitors will be permitted into the game," Anderson said.

"It will be New England-North West residents only at this point in time.

"For me, it is about the safety and welfare of our communities first and foremost and while we would normally be encouraging footy fans from across the state to come along, this game will be restricted to local residents."