Francis Cummins believes fan power can help inspire the Bulls to victory in tomorrow’s Super League showdown with leaders Wigan.

The Bradford boss is calling on supporters to turn out in force at the Provident Stadium for a match he admits will provide an acid test for his high-flying young side.

The Bulls climbed to third in the Super League table after last weekend’s win at London Broncos and Cummins is hoping for a huge turn-out tomorrow.

He said: “It’s not that long ago since I played and I can remember this place being packed with 22,000 – there’s nothing like it.

“You want your players to have great experiences with big crowds and good atmospheres, so I’d love to see a big crowd here on Sunday.

“Some of our fans from previous years may not have been here in the early rounds but I urge them to come along on Sunday and see what will be a great game. They can really create a great atmosphere.”

Although the club failed to meet their own targets for season ticket sales during the winter, half-season tickets were launched this week.

Cummins has urged fans to back the club as they continue to rebuild from the wreckage caused by entering administration last year.

“Looking at the season tickets, we may well have lost a few thousand people on paper but we’ve got the core of a support there,” he said.

“We haven’t got many staff and are all having to muck in – we haven’t got many players in the squad either.

“There’s definitely a sense of we’re all in it together and no doubt the experience that everyone went through last year – supporters, staff and players – will help.

“Your resolve is to look at the situation we were in last year but it’s about kicking on and I would encourage anyone to become part of this.

“We all feel we’re part of something special here. We don’t know when it will be or get back to the heights of what this club got to – but I can guarantee it will only get better.

“When you get everyone working as hard as they are, on and off the field, then things happen.

“I am really proud to be part of what is happening at the club. There is a great buzz and real achievement taking place and you want people to be part of it as early as possible.”

Although Wigan lost a raft of key players during the off-season, they have set the pace so far this term and could be at full strength tomorrow.

Reigning Man of Steel Sam Tomkins scored a hat-trick during last weekend’s win over Wakefield and Cummins admitted he is difficult to stop.

“They are league leaders and in form, so it will be good to see where we are,” he said.

“Wigan are very disciplined in what they do and work hard together.

“There are probably some other teams who can get them in different departments but they are scoring a lot of points and defending really well.

“Tomkins is a tremendous player and so talented. Just when you think you have got him, he puts that big 25-metre step on you with his big legs extended and off he goes!

“But it’s all about concentration and working as a team. We have to have a real crack at Wigan and see where we are. As a club we need to see where we are too.

“We think we’ve done all right where we are but it’s all about tests. It’s not the last game of the season or a final but it’s important to us. We want to see if we’ve improved.”

Meanwhile, the Bulls’ talks with the RFL yesterday over their Super League status for next year were described as “very positive” and a decision could be announced next week.

Meanwhile, the Bulls’ talks with the RFL yesterday over their Super League status for next year were described as “very positive” and a decision could be announced next week.