BOYHOOD Bulls fan Elliott Whitehead admits he would love to dump old rivals Leeds out of the play-offs in today’s do-or-die clash.

The former Bradford star will take part in his first-ever play-off game when Catalan tackle the Rhinos at Headingley.

Whitehead has enjoyed a stunning season in Perpignan, scoring 18 tries from the second row to earn a place in the Super League Dream Team.

Now the Bradford-born forward wants to help Laurent Fraysinnous’ men move a step closer to Old Trafford by beating Leeds on their own turf this evening.

Whitehead, who made his name at West Bowling before progressing through the ranks at the Bulls, said: “I lived next door to Odsal when I was a kid, so it would be huge for me to knock Leeds out of the play-offs.

“They'll always be my biggest rivals in my mind.

“When I was at Bradford, facing Leeds was a massive derby and it would mean a lot for me to beat them at Headingley. Hopefully we can get the job done.”

Whitehead joined Catalan after an acrimonious departure from the Bulls last June and has not looked back since.

The 25-year-old added: “It was tough leaving Bradford but it made it a lot easier with Leon Pryce being there because he took me under his wing.

“His family made the transition really easy for me. I got some grief from the Bradford fans, though, and got booed when I went back with Catalan.

“But that's rugby and I do feel sad that Bradford got relegated because I've got a lot of mates there and they're my hometown club.

“But I think they've signed some great players and will jump straight back up with ease.”

Catalan, meanwhile, will go into tonight’s game on the back of a 28-6 victory over Castleford last weekend.

Whitehead was on the scoresheet again and said: “We were desperate to win and get some confidence going into the Leeds game.

“We didn't want to put a weak team out and go into the play-offs on the back of a loss, so I think we can take a lot out of last weekend.

“It's going to be tough at Headingley because Leeds have got some great individual players but I don't think their form has been the best going into the play-offs, and if we can take our home form into an away game we can do well and hopefully get the win.”

Whitehead’s inclusion in the Dream Team this week encouraged hopes that he could earn a place in the England squad for the Four Nations tour next month.

Whitehead, who made his Super League debut for Bradford under England coach Steve McNamara in 2009, said: “Getting in the Dream Team caps off a great year.

“I was surprised but delighted and hopefully it will give me a good chance of getting into the England team come the end of the year.

“I don't really set goals; I like to take seasons bit by bit - but I want to play for England obviously. Hopefully this puts my foot in the door with Steve.

“There's some great back-rowers in this league; people like Brett Ferres, Liam Farrell and even John Bateman who I played with at Bradford.

“Hopefully I can get at least two or three more games under my belt this year and make an impact on Steve's thinking.

“I feel like I needed to leave Bradford last year. I've moved away and started again and my rugby has massively improved.

“I'm playing the best rugby I've ever played, so hopefully I can keep getting better and keep getting closer to international selection.”

Meanwhile, the Bulls will unveil their 30th squad member for next season on Monday morning, with the new recruit widely expected to be a scrum-half.