Francis Cummins does not expect to pick up too many Castleford secrets ahead of their Super League opener.

The Bulls host Cas in a pre-season friendly just a fortnight before the February 16 showdown.

But meeting so close to the real thing, neither the Bulls chief nor opposite number Daryl Powell will want to show too much of their hand.

Cummins feels the outcome will have no bearing on what happens when their West Yorkshire rivals return to Odsal in week one.

He said: “It will be interesting to see what sort of team Castleford field in the friendly game but I am not sure it will make much of a difference with regards to the Super League tie.

"Trial games are designed to test both players and tactics. That is obviously what we will be looking to do as the start of the season will be very close.”

The Bulls enjoyed an emphatic 38-12 home win in week three last season but lost the return 46-34 in August.

Cummins added: “We had a couple of really good tussles with Castleford last year and I expect the same again in February.

“They are usually very close-fought affairs with them being local rivals. Bragging rights will be at stake, as they will be in round two at Wakefield.

“We want to get off to a good start. I expect a really tough challenge but I am happy to be starting the season at home.

“It is important we land our first knock-out blow in front of our own fans and that is the aim.

“I believe we will have a fairly settled squad in place to start the new campaign but the Bulls team will be a little new-look.

“We have made a host of new additions and I imagine the majority of them will play key roles for us as we look to hit the ground running.”

Meanwhile, Bulls’ league fixture at Widnes has been switched from Friday, March 28 to Sunday, March 30 (3pm).