Suntan oil makes way for wintergreen tomorrow when Bradford Bulls finally kick-off the 1999 season at Odsal.

Only hours before Matthew Elliott's men arrived back last night from a week-long training camp in Lanzarote their opponents Huddersfield were acclimatising to the English winter again after being put through their paces by the demanding Malcolm Reilly in Malaga.

And it will be straight down to business as both coaches look for vital pointers ahead of the launch of their respective Challenge Cup campaigns on February 14.

Two men particularly keen to impress will be Bulls prop Neil Harmon and Giants duo Paul Loughlin and Paul Cook who all set to face their former clubs.

Harmon looked to be finding his best form in the final weeks of last season following his move from the McAlpine in July but knows competition for places will be intense with Brian McDermott, Stuart Fielden, the fit-again Paul Anderson and possibly back-row pair Bernard Dwyer and Jeremy Donougher pressing for front-row berths.

It is a similar story right across the field for the Bulls with competition particularly fierce amongst a new-look three-quarter line.

Aussie recruits Michael Withers and Nick Zisti are both chasing their favoured centre spots but they can expect a real battle from former Salford duo Scott Naylor and Nathan McAvoy while Danny Peacock is on the verge of a return after serious knee damage ruled him out for much of last season.

The Giants have also undergone an extensive facelift after finishing well adrift at the foot of Super League last season.

One time Bulls forward target Andrew Tangata-Toa and centre Jim Lenihan, both from St George, made a good impression in a 28-10 New Year's Day win over neighbours Halifax when former Great Britain winger John Bentley also made his debut.

They are joined tomorrow by more recent recruits Nigel Wright (Wigan) and Aussie back-rower David Boughton (Adelaide) while ex-Saints prop Ian Pickavance is also in line for his first outing for the club after recovering from a knee injury.

Kick-off is at 2.30pm with admission £7 for adults and £3 for children. Transfer to the stand is £2 for adults and £1 concessions. Gates open at 1pm and vice-presidents need to show passes to obtain stadium car parking.

Copies of Paul Medley's testimonial brochure will also be available priced £3.50.

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