Matthew Elliott won't be taking too much notice of the Super League table when he delivers his team talk at Headingley tonight.

The Rhinos currently stand in eighth spot with six defeats in nine league games. But the Bulls coach is preparing for the sternest examination of their unbeaten record to date.

The Bulls pack has trampled over most opposition so far this term but Elliott knows the Leeds forwards have the size and aggression to live with the best.

"No disrespect to Halifax who are in the top five at the moment, but playing Leeds is a definite step up for us despite what the league table may say," he said.

But Elliott has every confidence his forwards will come out on top.

"Stuart Fielden's performance last week was as good as I have seen by any front-rower all season and Paul Ander-son wasn't far behind him," he said.

"Brian McDermott will also be OK after taking a bang on the knee last week so we are looking very strong in that department."

Elliott still has to finalise his line-up but the probability is that Nathan McAvoy will return on the right wing, allowing Justin Brooker to switch to centre in place of David Boyle.

McAvoy has been struggling with a back injury since Murrayfield but his extra strike power will be welcome in what promises to be another titanic struggle.

"I was never going to make too many changes after scoring 62 points last week," said Elliott. "But Nathan has come through well in training this week and was playing very well when he picked up his injury."

Tevita Vaikona trained yesterday but Elliott says he is still feeling his hamstring injury and does not see any point in risking the powerful Tongan.

Both skippers go into tonight's game with a chance of reaching personal milestones.

Iestyn Harris needs just two more points to become the tenth player in the 105-year history of the Leeds club to record 1,000, while Robbie Paul is eight points short of 300 for the Bulls.

Rhinos officials are anticipating a big derby crowd and are asking Bulls fans to arrive early. Extra turnstiles will be open at the St Michael's Lane end.

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