Derby days come second nature to Wayne Godwin but it's not stopping him getting excited by Millennium Magic.

The Bulls hooker is a rare breed in that he has featured in every big local face-off in Super League.

Godwin starred with Wigan against arch-rivals St Helens, Hull versus city enemy Hull KR - including in Cardiff last year - and has quickly tasted the flavour of Bradford and Leeds since moving to Odsal.

Throw in Castleford v Wakefield from the wily rake's early days at The Jungle and you've got the lot.

"I have been lucky in that sense," says the player, who is still only 25.

"It's been mentioned that I've played in them all and it's great to have experienced so many big games like that.

"People ask me which the best derby of all is, expecting me to say Bradford because I'm a Bulls player now, but if I'm honest, they are all on a par.

"I played in my first Leeds derby earlier this year and, despite the scoreline, it was immense. I can't wait for them to come to Odsal but I reckon this will be like a cup final on Saturday night."

After losing 44-2 at Headingley in March, the Bulls and Rhinos collide again at the Millennium Stadium with Godwin knowing his side must redeem themselves following that record loss.

He said: "We all know we didn't play anything like our best at Leeds. It was a really disappointing defeat, not just for ourselves but as a club and for our fans.

"The lads are playing well now though with confidence and we're looking at taking that onto the big stage at Cardiff. This is what it's all about."

Godwin is fit again after shaking off a shoulder injury which saw him miss his first game of the season against former club Wigan last weekend.

He was on the losing side in Cardiff against Hull KR 12 months ago but it didn't change his belief that the Super League bonanza is a real positive for the sport.

Godwin said: "It was a bit weird last year. I'd just signed from Wigan and as I ran out for Hull, all the Wigan fans were there on the sideline!

"It was a great occasion though. People thought Millennium Magic wouldn't take off straight away and it would spoil all the derbies.

"But for us, as players, it was great to play at a venue like that and the atmosphere was excellent. It all brings the best out of us and the speccies' loved it too.

"My parents went down and made a weekend of it and that's what a lot of fans did. They had a great time.

"It's good for rugby league in general, seeing all the different clubs' supporters mingling together. I don't want to bad-mouth football but I don't know if you'd see that with that sport.

"It made it all feel like a cup final and there was some great games last year. I'm sure it'll be great entertainment again this time around and hopefully we'll get the result we're after."

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