JOHN KEAR expects his Bradford Bulls team to "take to the field in anger" in tomorrow's first test of their promotion credentials at York - and he may use Knights comments to fire them up too.

The title favourites take their first step into the third tier in front of a likely frenzied atmosphere at Bootham Crescent.

With over 1,500 Bulls fans making the journey, the season opener will be played in front of a potential record crowd for League One.

The Knights are also relishing getting first crack at toppling the former world champions and Kear knows that will come with the territory for the fallen giants this year.

The Bulls coach said: "You only have to read their comments in the paper. We're not indestructible, according to Andy Ellis (Knights hooker), and that's what they'll be thinking.

"I don't make a big point to the players about comments like that – but I may whisper in somebody's ear!

"We're very excited. We're taking to the field in anger.

"The pre-season has been very good. It's led to me thinking long and hard about the final 17.

"The heartening thing for me is that when we get one or two players with some minutes under their belt and a bit more conditioning, and get players returning like Dane Chisholm, we'll be even better.

"At the minute, all we're thinking about is that 80 minutes at York.

"They have come off a very good season and have got an element of stability with the coaching staff. They've recruited very well and will be bolstered by Hull Kingston Rovers dual-reg players.

"So yes, it's a challenge – but that's the idea of sport. You don't want it be a walk in the park.

"You've got to work hard to achieve and that's what we intend to do."

As the 8-15 odds-on title favourites, the Bulls are strongly fancied to boss the division in the same way as Toronto Wolfpack last year.

Kear's men anticipate opponents will try to rough them up – and got a taste of that in the final friendly against Keighley Cougars.

The Odsal coach insisted: "It was just what we wanted. We were after a tough, physical game where we were challenged in every way and that's what we got.

"I believe the York game will be every bit as intense and I think we should relish that and get stuck in.

"People will be looking at this result very keenly. The betting thing is lovely for fans of the sport and anyone who likes a flutter.

"But with regards to the playing group, we're just looking at what we can do. We're just going to look at who we're going to play and how we can exploit the weaknesses."