Chev Walker is ready to give Leeds a devastating reminder of the past.

Ahead of a potential Bulls debut in tomorrow’s Millennium Stadium derby, the one-time Rhinos star feels primed to recapture past glories.

Crowned a Super League champion during his time at Headingley, Walker has not even featured in the competition since September 2009 – the result of an horrific double leg-break suffered playing for Hull KR in a play-off game at Leeds.

The 28-year-old’s only taste of action in 2010 was a 40-minute spell off the bench for Rovers’ reserves but an off-season switch to Bradford has revitalised body and mind.

“I feel 100 per cent better now than I did when I started at Hull KR in 2007,” said Walker.

“I had a stress fracture of the leg when I signed for them, which ended up causing my break, so I didn’t feel properly fit.

“But I got picked – I suppose because I had that experience of playing in Super League – and I gave it everything despite not feeling completely right.

“Now I feel completely different. I’ve got a full pre-season behind me and I feel as good as I did during my time at Leeds.

“Pre-season is important for players because that’s where you get your early confidence from and I know in myself that I’m ready.

“Obviously I’ve not played a lot of games recently but that ability is still there.”

At his peak, Walker’s ability was enough to earn him six caps for Great Britain and, subsequently, a lucrative cross-code move to Bath.

The last of those Test appearances came against Australia in the 2005 Tri-Nations but he is not resigned to the fact those days are behind him – far from it.

He said: “I have never really looked to play international rugby. Don’t get me wrong, I wanted to play it, but I never set it as a specific goal.

“It was always something that came as a result of hard work at my club. So I’m focused on Bradford but I don’t see any reason why that can’t happen again.

“It’s been really enjoyable to come to a club that’s looking to improve themselves and working really hard towards that goal.

“I’m confident. I’ve worked really hard with (head of physical performance) Geoff Evans and the rest of the coaching staff and feel good. There are no nerves ahead of my debut, just excitement.”

Walker’s signing was part of coach Mick Potter’s deliberate policy of recruiting players with a point to prove.

Handed a one-year deal alongside the likes of Gareth Raynor, Shaun Ainscough, Marc Herbert and Patrick Ah Van, the Rhinos academy product has been marked by critics as something of a risk.

“I don’t really pay attention to that kind of thing,” said Walker.

“If people want to write us off, that’s fine. Maybe we need to take a bit of hunger from that and prove to ourselves and our fans that we can do the job.

“A lot of us have got points to prove and everything seems to be in place for a good season. We will know where we are after the Leeds game.”

The underdogs tag will stick right from the start of the new campaign, with tomorrow’s Magic Weekend clash followed by a home opener against reigning champions Wigan next week.

But the new-look Bulls appear unfazed and Walker understands the importance of a strong start.

He said: “Every team wants to get off to a good start.

“There are some teams that claim they’re aiming to peak later but it’s rubbish.

“Pre-season’s that hard and you sacrifice that much, it’s really important to see the rewards.

“We’re not the finished product but we’ve come together well as a team and I think the fans have recognised that. They’ve given us their full support.”