Benji Marshall v NSW Waratahs and more - your guide to 2014 Super Rugby trials

BENJI Marshall v the Waratahs is the biggest match of the pre-season. Check out our guide to the Super Rugby trials.

BENJI Marshall's return to Australia headlines a bumper list of Super Rugby pre-season fixtures for 2014.

With the Super Rugby season just a month away, Australia's five franchises are finalising their preparations - and they'll ramp up the action over the next few weeks with a string of trial matches.

Benji Marshall training with the Blues. Picture courtesy of Blues' Facebook page.

The biggest match-up sees former NRL superstar Marshall, who switched codes in the off-season to join New Zealand's Blues, take on Israel Folau and the Waratahs at Allianz Stadium on Friday, February 7.

That encounter follows the Tahs' Albury clash against Melbourne Rebels, which has taken on 'grudge match' status following a host of high-profile player switches between the two clubs.

Kurtley Beale and Nick Phipps left Melbourne to link with Michael Cheika's Waratahs at the end of 2013, while Lopeti Timani and Tom Kingston moved from NSW to the Rebels.

That match will be Tony McGahan's first as coach of the Rebels, who will be captained in 2014 by Scott Higginbotham. Melbourne then host New Zealand's Hurricanes at Geelong and play the Reds in Queensland.

Last year's runners-up the Brumbies will have their first run-out under new coach Stephen Larkham when they take on the Highlanders in Queenstown, followed by a clash against an ACT XV.

Queensland Reds, under new coach Richard Graham, have an intriguing clash with back-to-back Super Rugby champions the Chiefs, to be played in Toowoomba, as well as the home match against the Rebels.

Western Force ramp up their pre-season preparations against international opposition, with Michael Foley's men tackling a Samoa A outfit and Argentinian side Pampas XV.

Check out the pre-season fixtures for all five Australian Super Rugby franchises below, as well as a full list of all the trial matches ahead of the 2014 season.

ACT Brumbies

Friday, Jan 31: v Highlanders in Queenstown

Saturday, Feb 8: v ACT XV in Canberra, TBC

Melbourne Rebels

Saturday, Feb 1: v NSW Waratahs, Albury Sports Ground, Albury

Saturday, Feb 8: v Hurricanes, Simonds Stadium, Geelong

Friday, Feb 14: v Queensland Reds at Ballymore, Brisbane

NSW Waratahs

Saturday, Feb 1: v Melbourne Rebels at Albury Sports Ground, Albury

Friday, Feb 7: v Blues at Allianz Stadium, Sydney

Friday, Feb 14: v Highlanders at Hunter Stadium, Newcastle

Queensland Reds

Saturday, Feb 8: v Chiefs at Toowoomba Sports Ground, Toowoomba

Friday, Feb 14: v Melbourne Rebels at Ballymore, Brisbane

Quade Cooper trains with the Queensland Reds at Ballymore. Photographer: Liam Kidston.

Western Force

Friday, Feb 7: v Samoa A, Lark Hill Sportsplex, Rockingham, Perth

Friday, Feb 14: v Pampas XV, Arena Joondalup, Joondalup, Perth

Full list of Super Rugby trials, courtesy Super Rugby website

Friday, January 24

Lions v Leopards, Ellis Park, Johannesburg

Saturday, January 25

Saracens v Sharks, Allianz Park, London

Friday, January 31

Highlanders v Brumbies, Queenstown Recreation Ground, Queenstown

Saturday, February 1

Waratahs v Rebels, Albury Sports Ground, Albury

Hurricanes v Blues, Memorial Park, Masterton

Bulls v Stormers, Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane

Kings v Lions, Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth

Scott Higginbotham will captain the Rebels in 2014.

Friday, February 7

Waratahs v Blues, Allianz Stadium, Sydney

Crusaders v Highlanders, Motueka Sportspark, Motueka

Lions v Sharks, Ellis Park, Johannesburg

Kings v Stormers, Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth

Force v Samoa A, Lark Hill Sportsplex, Rockingham, Perth

Saturday, February 8

Rebels v Hurricanes, Simonds Stadium, Geelong

Reds v Chiefs, Toowoomba Sports Ground, Toowoomba

Brumbies v ACT XV, Canberra, TBC

Friday, February 14

Chiefs v Blues, Rotorua International Stadium, Rotorua

Hurricanes v Crusaders, Levin Stadium. Levin

Waratahs v Highlanders, Hunter Stadium, Newcastle

Reds v Rebels, Ballymore, Brisbane

Force v Pampas XV Arena Joondalup, Perth

Saturday, February 15

Boland v Stormers, Boland Stadium, Wellington, South Africa