Kyle Briggs looked Mick Potter in the eye during the winter and told him he was ready to prove himself in a Bulls jersey.

After a cruel run of injury troubles during his debut campaign at Odsal, Briggs believed 2012 could be his year.

Instead, on the eve of the new Super League campaign, he was sent to Championship outfit Featherstone Rovers on a season-long loan.

Following the arrival of Jarrod Sammut and Luke Gale, and with Ben Jeffries also jostling for position, it said much about where he stood in Potter’s plans.

“It’s not worked out how I planned at Bradford,” admitted the Leeds-born stand-off, who Potter signed from Featherstone in January 2011.

“I had a few injuries last year but I played about eight games, which I felt I did well in.

“I just wanted to get a good pre-season under my belt at Bradford and secure a regular spot at number six.

“Obviously Mick has seen something different and that’s his call. But going out on loan to Featherstone for the season has helped me to get some confidence back.”

Briggs, 24, has gradually re-established himself in Daryl Powell’s ambitious side and was pivotal during their recent Challenge Cup win over Castleford.

Rovers’ reward for beating their deadly rivals is another televised home tie against Super League opposition, this time Wigan, and Briggs is hoping to shrug off a shoulder injury in time to face Shaun Wane’s team tomorrow night.

“The Castleford game was a local derby about two towns who are geographically close and very passionate about rugby league,” said Briggs.

“I love Featherstone, and have had many good times there, so it was great to beat Cas.

“Playing Wigan is another chance to put a marker down and say ‘this is what we can do’ against Super League clubs.

“Featherstone have dominated the Championship for the past two or three years now and Daryl Powell and Ryan Sheridan are great coaches. The Wigan game is another chance for the club to start sending signals out to the RFL.”

Against all that positivity remains a sense of disappointment, as Briggs spoke during pre-season about how he wanted to rekindle his half-back partnership with close friend Gale.

They played together in the youth ranks at Leeds Rhinos before crossing paths at Doncaster and again at Harlequins last season, when Briggs spent time on loan.

Briggs explained: “I thought I’d worked hard enough in pre-season to possibly get a crack at being the first-choice stand-off with Luke at scrum half.

“Luke and I have known each other for a long time, played with each other at several clubs and have been told by many people that we bring the best out in each other.

“I’m not lying, it would be fantastic to be playing Super League rugby for Bradford, but I don’t think it’s going to happen this year.”

Nevertheless, Briggs remains a popular figure at Odsal and still trains with the Bulls two days a week.

It is an arduous schedule and he explained: “I’m training with Bradford on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. They’re the only two sessions I have and the rest of my training centres around Featherstone’s schedule.

“There are times when I have to double up, on a morning and an evening. I’ll be honest, it’s tiring and it does take a lot out of me. But I just need to get on with it and at the end of the day, if I’m playing then I’m happy.”

Briggs is out of contract at Bradford at the end of the season and expects his future to be decided in the coming weeks.

“I spoke to my agent and we said that we would be looking to get things sorted for next year in around May time,” he said.

“I definitely want to get my future sorted in the next few weeks. As things stand, I don’t have a club for next year. I have the option of a third year at Bradford but unless they take that option up, I am a free agent.

“Whether Bradford or any other club want to offer me a contract, I’m definitely looking to secure my future in the next few weeks.

“I’ve not given up on Super League – I still want to play there, whether it be with Bradford or anyone else.”