KARL Davies admits he is "nervous and excited" about pulling on a Bulls jersey for the first time against Castleford on Sunday.

The imposing Aussie prop has been named in Jimmy Lowes' 22-man squad for Andy Lynch's testimonial match and will play some part against the Tigers.

The close-season signing from the Mackay Cutters is aiming to use the opening friendly as an opportunity to "lay down a marker".

The man nicknamed 'The Lumberjack' said: "I'm keen as anything to play and can't wait to get out there.

"I'm in great condition and feeling 100 per cent because we started pre-season pretty early and have been working hard ever since.

"I'm looking forward to laying down a marker and I'm excited and nervous at the same time. It's my first game for a new club and is in a country I've not played in before. I can't wait."

Matty Blythe and Dan Fleming are nursing minor injuries and will not feature, while Epalahame Lauaki is not due to arrive until the end of the month.

But 22-year-old Davies admits he has his work cut out to secure a regular spot in Lowes' side.

He said: "That competition is what you want at a big club like Bradford Bulls as we try and get back into Super League. It's better for all the boys too because it pushes us to all play at our maximum.

"There are only a certain amount of spots and we all want to play – everyone always wants to be in the starting team and I'd love to have the eight or ten jersey.

"But these days as a front-rower, you can come off the bench and play just as many minutes as a starting prop. I don't mind coming off the bench as an impact player but it's up to wherever Jimmy wants to play me."

Lowes is not concerned with the result as he hands opportunities to a raft of new recruits.

"It's the first hit-out of pre-season for us and the first opportunity to get some much-needed game-time under our belts," said the Bulls head coach.

"We have named a strong squad, as have Castleford, but the result is not the be-all and end-all. It's about building fitness and performance."

Bulls 22-man squad: Mullaney, Tahraoui, Brook, Shaw, Walshaw, Addy, Uaisele, Siejka, Clough, Sidlow, Walker, Baile, Ulugia, Davies, Halafihi, Conroy, Mellor, Pitts, Olbison, O'Brien, Gaskell, Purtell.