Just four days before the Bulls’ big kick-off and Mick Potter admits his side are not yet the finished article.

A completely overhauled side will line up against arch-rivals Leeds Rhinos in Sunday’s Millennium Stadium opener following a winter of dramatic change.

Odsal’s revolving door has seen 11 first-team players leave and 11 arrive, leaving head coach Potter under no illusions about the difficulty of the task ahead.

Patience will be key throughout the early stages of the season, although the bedding-in process will not detract from the Bulls’ determination to get the job done.

“We’ll probably be just that little bit underdone but we won’t be any less determined or any less motivated,” said Potter.

“The result will be important but I think there’s still more improvement in the players and once they get used to playing with each other, we’ll see the best of them.

“It’s a gradual process because of the nature of the changes we’ve made. They have to play with each other for quite some time and some players take longer to settle into teams than others.”

The magnitude of this year’s opening weekend adds spice to the mix, the usual disjointed catalogue of fixtures scrapped in favour of a two-day Cardiff showcase.

Usually held in May, Magic Weekend has been moved forward in a bid to start the Super League season with a bang, bringing with it extra pressures for Potter’s side to handle.

“I think the players do look at it as more of an event than the usual first round,” he said.

“The first round in itself is big but being a local derby at a stadium of that size does emphasise the need to get off to a good start.

“It’s important the players give themselves a good feeling to start the season as a reward for the work they’ve already done.”

Even if they are yet to hit their straps, the Bulls have been boosted by a virtually clean bill of health ahead of Sunday’s game.

Only long-term absentees Dave Halley and James Donaldson are still sidelined after Jamie Langley, Kyle Briggs and Marc Herbert all recovered from knocks picked up in the final friendly against Wakefield.

Potter said: “Dave Halley has got a good record from his recent testing and has the strength back in his leg, so he’s building towards full-speed running and directional work.

“James Donaldson wants to play and the specialist has given him clearance but his leg strength is a little bit down. The fact he wants to play is really encouraging and he should be back soon.”