MAKE the most of being the hunter not the hunted – that’s the Challenge Cup message for the Bulls today.

The fifth-round trip to Super League high-fliers Warrington is a welcome role reversal for John Kear’s side.

The Bulls coach sees this afternoon’s tie at the Halliwell Jones Stadium as a “free hit” away from the pressure of being League One title favourites.

And he believes his team can show the Wolves what they are capable of.

Kear said: “If I was going to go into a fight with Anthony Joshua, I’d fancy giving a good account of myself. Our team feel the same about this game.

“We know Warrington are one of the best but we’re good as well. We’re confident we will do well and I’m very excited. Everybody in the club is fully aware of what our priority is this season.

“But that doesn’t mean to say we can’t go there and have a free hit. That’s how I’ve described it to the players and that’s exactly what we’re going to do.

“There has been an element that the pressure’s off and we are the underdog. Let’s enjoy that situation.”

Three of the team that beat Coventry 52-6 last week are missing. Dane Chisholm is suspended and loan duo Jy Hitchcox and James Laithwaite are not allowed to feature.

Gregg McNally has also been held back as a precaution for the Doncaster game.

But Kear insists his team will be up for the task of trying to handle a Warrington side who have won six on the bounce in Super League.

He added: “Rest assured we’ll be turning out the best team we’ve got despite players being cup tied, suspended or injured – and that team will give their all.

“We’ve looked at what Warrington can do. We’ve identified the threats and practised defending them as well as working on areas we feel we can exploit.

“The one thing I can assure you is that the players will be ready for this. They will give 100 per cent and that’s all anybody can ask.

“I don’t want them to get too excited in the build-up. They only need to be ready to play at 3pm.

“I want them to embrace the preparation but also keep a lid on it until we have to play.

“We’re just really pleased to be involved in the Challenge Cup at this stage. We’re looking forward to doing ourselves a great deal of justice.”

It will be the first time this year the Bulls have gone into a contest as underdogs.

Kear is used to league opponents raising their game each week and he wants his own team to do the same.

He said: “We look back at the Coventry game and, from what I’ve seen of them before, that was the best they had played. They only made five errors all game.

“Unfortunately for us, that’s what going to happen for the rest of the season. Every team you play are going to put their best foot forward.

“It would be nice to catch somebody on the hop under-prepared and under-motivated. But we’re not going to get that this year.

“But we accept that and now we’ve got to look to do the same against Warrington.

“They can savour the occasion for certain – but every game seems to be an occasion with the Bulls because of the standing of the club within the rugby league community.”