ROHAN Smith says it will be a "privilege" to lock horns with former Australia boss Tim Sheens on the opening day of next season.

The Bulls travel to Hull KR on Sunday, February 5 and Smith admits he cannot wait to pit his wits against the veteran head coach.

In September, Rovers confirmed the capture of Sheens on a three-year deal in what amounted to the most significant appointment in the club's history.

The revered Australian has coached four title-winning teams in the NRL and also steered the Kangaroos to World Cup glory in 2013.

Further representative honours include leading New South Wales to a series win over Queensland and he is also a three-time winner of the Dally M coach of the year award.

Bradford head coach Smith said: "It's a privilege to lead the Bulls anyway and to come up against a coach like Tim Sheens is certainly a privilege.

"But it's certainly not about me or Tim – it's about the two clubs that we represent. I'm not looking too far ahead and I'm sure a wily veteran like him won't be either.

"I don't know him personally but I've watched his teams play from the outside and always admired the style of play and innovation he had at Wests Tigers, for sure."

The Robins appear favourites to finish top of the Championship after an impressive recruitment drive.

Yet Smith insisted: "I haven't looked at who they have lost or kept or who they have signed. I haven't looked at any other team and I'm not interested in anyone else at this point in time.

"Once we get to February and the games begin, that's when we will start looking at the opposition."