Hooker James Lowes is not under-estimating the challenge the Bulls are likely to face from his old club when the Challenge Cup final gets under way.

The Great Britain international played in the Leeds side which lost to Wigan in 1994 at the start of a four-year losing run at Wembley.

He lost again to Wigan with the Loiners the following year before moving to Bradford but, after being cup-tied, could only watch his new teammates from the stands as they crashed to St. Helens in '96.

His losing sequence was completed by Saints in the '97 final but more disappointment was to follow as Bulls again crashed to St. Helens in last year's Grand Final.

This year many pundits have already etched his name on one of the winners' medals after the Rhinos crashed to five straight defeats at the start of Super League V. But Lowes' past experiences have taught him to take nothing for granted.

"It's all about how you play on the day," he said.

"Leeds have got some quality players in the backs and the forwards. We had four great games against them last season and it will be the same this year.

"We will prepare well. Bearing in mind the quality of players they have we will have to play very well on the day or we aren't going to win the trophy.

"I'm proud to say that I was a Leeds player but I left them four or five years ago now and I've played against them enough times to get it out of my system.

"This is the Challenge Cup final so it doesn't really matter who you play. We are up against Leeds so we have to prepare to play them. It should be a tough game."

Lowes admitted that, despite the club's ever-professional attitude, it had been hard to keep the players' minds off the big day at Murrayfield.

"We have been trying to focus on each game as it comes but of course there is always a thought in the back of your mind about Murrayfield and the Challenge Cup final. We just wanted to get the London game won and out of the way so we could really look forward to it," he said.

"Having already been to the cup final you know when you play in the quarter-finals and semi-finals of the cup that the final is going to be a fantastic occasion and you really want to go back and play in such a big game.

"I'm not disappointed that this year's final has been moved from Wembley. I'm really excited. We have been to Wembley and the atmosphere is brilliant but I'm sure it will be just as good up there and I'm really looking forward to it."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.