The Lake County are on the road for their first two provincial outings.
Westmeath are starting their Leinster Championship campaign in the "lions den" this weekend according to Paul O'Sullivan of the Westmeath Topic.
Joe Fortune's men secured their Division One status with a win over Laois in a relegation play-off last month.
Their first game of the provincial championship sees them head down to Kilkenny to take on the cats.
The two sides are yet to meet this season after their league campaigns ran through divisions 1A and 1B.
O'Sullivan says despite some good performances in the league, Westmeath will have to move up a level on Saturday:
Our coverage of Westmeath against Kilkenny is sponsored by O’Brien’s Renault Mullingar. . see pobrien dot ie and Total Tile Centre Mullingar, call to our showroom to view over 300 tiles on display
Buccs Suffer Heavy AIL Loss In Ulster
Anna McGann "Tripped And Fell" In Love With Rugby
Temple Villa and Clara Town Pick Up CCFL Wins
Westmeath Family Into Final Of Ireland's Fittest Family
Athlone Town Learn Fixtures For New League Of Ireland Season
St Michael's Secure U20 Football Title
Isabel Ryan And Alexis Stickland To Continue With Athlone Town In 2026
Our Defending Starts From 1 to 15 - Kirsten Keenan
Sallins Prove Too Strong For Tubberclair In Leinster Decider
Portlaoise Panthers Suffer Defeat In Women's Super League
Leinster Overcome Leicester Tigers With Strong Second Half Performance
Medals Secured For Ireland At European Cross Country Championships
All Ireland Glory Achieved By Camross
Dublin Lions End Portlaoise Panthers' Perfect Home Record
Success For Camross But Heartbreak For Tubberclair
Portlaoise Panthers Back In Super League Action This Weekend
Camross Name Tomas Burke As New Hurling Manager
Midlands Stars Set For European Cross Country Championships
Laois U20 Hurler And Footballer Of The Year Revealed
Camross Has Nothing To Lose This Weekend - Arien Delaney