FORMER Bulls captain Heath L'Estrange will be cheering on Jimmy Lowes' team in Sunday's Championship opener at promotion rivals Leigh.

The popular Aussie hooker is back in the UK with his current club St George Illawarra Dragons as they prepare for next Friday's World Club series game against Warrington.

L’Estrange joined Bradford from Manly ahead of the 2010 campaign but returned to Australia at the end of the 2013 campaign.

His wife, Jessica, had just given birth to first child and they were keen to raise their young daughter, Grace, back home.

L'Estrange said: "I'm going to catch the Bulls this Sunday!

"I've got some stuff to do at the Disney store at the Trafford Centre first; I've been told I've got to take some dresses back and things like that which don't fit, so I'll do that and then get myself over to watch the Bulls play Leigh.

"I'll go sit with the fans and we'll see how we go. I've got some great memories from the club and I really enjoyed my time with them.

"The fans really took myself and my wife in, and a lot of the fans and my ex-team-mates helped me through some times at the club.

"I think my wife is a little jealous that she hasn't been able to come over and say hello to everyone again, but I can't wait."