Bradford captain Tim Wade has highlighted the importance of making a good start ahead of his side’s opening fixture at Driffield against East Riding on Sunday.

The skipper admits he was disappointed with last season’s third place finish in the Yorkshire Inter-District League and wants to improve on that this year.

With a tough game at rivals Leeds in their second game to come, Wade wants to hit the ground running this weekend.

He said: “We have two away matches to start with and if you lose both of those your season could be over, so we’re looking to come flying out of the traps.”

Bradford field a strong side featuring five former professionals, including Dane Bairstow, who returned to the amateur ranks at the back end of last season.

Karl Curran Trophy joint winner Calum Hey is unavailable.

Bradford Union (v East Riding): Matthew Atter (Woodhall Hills), Dane Bairstow (Bingley St Ives), Terry Brushwood (Bingley St Ives), Joe Copperwaite (Branshaw), Chris Green (Cleck-heaton), Rob Hillas (Shipley), JD Hussain (Hollins Hall), Jack Laybourne (Bingley St Ives), Rob Malloy (Northcliffe), Henry Tetley (Bingley St Ives), Andy Town (Bingley St Ives), Will Whiteoak (Shipley).