Francis Cummins has challenged his players to force their way into his plans ahead of the Bulls’ Super League opener at home to Wakefield.

It is 75 days until Richard’s Agar’s men head to the Provident Stadium and Cummins is counting them down one by one.

Round two sees the Bulls travel to big-spending Hull FC before Castleford and St Helens visit Odsal in rounds three and four.

Wakefield emerged from the trauma of administration to secure a play-off place last term after earning a club-best seventh straight wins.

Cummins said: “The players can’t wait for the season to start and neither can I.

“With us not having a home pre-season friendly, the new owners wanted a home fixture to launch the ‘new’ club and we’re pleased to have that.

“You’ve got to take your hat off to Richard and Wakefield because they were in a similar situation to us with their off-field problems.

“They didn’t get going straight away but they gradually improved.

“Although I want us to be all guns blazing at the start, I know we’re not going to be the finished article straight away.

“That goes without saying, it’s the same with every team, but I’m looking forward to seeing where we are.

“By the time the Wakefield game comes round, we’ll know who has impressed and who deserves to start in the team.”

The Magic Weekend fixture against Huddersfield will now take place on Sunday, May 26 at 5.15pm, while Liam McAvoy’s move to Leeds is expected to be confirmed this week.