Bradford Bulls v Leeds Rhinos: John Kear aims to show the world Bulls on their way back

Once it was the fixture in Super League, a meeting of power, pace and no little panache that could firmly raise temperatures towards blistering even at the perennially cold Odsal.

Unfortunately, since those halcyon days at the turn of this century when the warring West Yorkshire neighbours contested so many finals, the classic derby has disappeared.

Not for much longer, though. For the first time in five years they will meet again, this afternoon back at Odsal, back in the Challenge Cup and back looking to make instant memories.

The circumstances, of course, are different; Bradford’s fall from grace was so drastic that – after three administrations – the 2006 World Club champions were liquidated two years ago and ended up in the sport’s bottom tier.

Yet, thankfully, they are showing healthy signs again, competing hard in the Championship and, under experienced head coach John Kear, demonstrating real intent to return to the elite.

Today’s sixth-round tie, their first Cup meeting since Bradford won the 2003 final and televised live on the BBC, is certainly a chance for Bulls to demonstrate they are on the right path.

Speaking to The Yorkshire Post, Kear admitted: “This is the biggest game since the club reformed and it is about us putting a marker down on and off the field of play. If we get a five-figure crowd (12,000 expected) I think people will genuinely say this is a Super League club in-waiting.

“If we play well – not necessarily beat Leeds, but be competitive – then they can say they’re getting it right on the field as well with this group of young, homegrown players who can only get better.

“It’s a really important day with regards to the bigger picture. But it is also a big day with regard to it being a knockout game – where you get into the last eight of the Challenge Cup if you win it.”

Leeds are vulnerable; for all they have lifted six Super League titles since Bradford won their last (beating Rhinos in 2005), they surprisingly sacked their head coach Dave Furner this week after a woeful start to the season.

The Australian was in charge for just 14 games, but with Rhinos fearing a third relegation battle in only four years he has gone.

Kear, 64, conceded it was a very “un-Leeds” thing to do, but he is concentrating on his own side.

He has a famous history in the Challenge Cup having led Sheffield Eagles to the competition’s biggest shock when they defeated Wigan in the 1998 final and also coached Hull FC to victory over Leeds in the 2005 showpiece. Ironically, his assistant then – Richard Agar – is now Rhinos’ interim coach.

Yet, given Bulls’ perilous state, it was a surprise that Kear left his role as Wakefield Trinity’s head of rugby 18 months ago to join them as they prepared for League 1.

The former Wales coach, though, has seen his belief augmented that Bulls can rise again.

He said: “Before I took this job, I felt like someone who has to look at business plans; I went into great depth about the sustainability and the direction about the way the club wanted to go in.

“I was reassured by that and I believed in it. That allows you to take the job. But then when you see what you are working with as well with regards to the players, you think they have great systems of youth as well so you have a good player production system.

“Should we start attracting big crowds, sponsorships and progressing up the leagues I’m certain we can attract the big-name players to go with these local lads.

“And I want it to be a homebred Bradford team, I really do.”

There could be as many as 10 of those in the side today and Kear firmly believes it is the blueprint for Bulls’ future.

He added: “Look at the Bradford players in Super League and NRL. If you’d manage to keep hold of them… Elliot Whitehead, John Bateman (Canberra Raiders), the Burgess’s (South Sydney), Jake Trueman (Castleford) and those at Huddersfield then you do think ‘bloody hell, it is possible’.

“They’ve got the talent ID right here, the systems right to develop the players so I think should this club have success, players will be more inclined to stay.”

But all that is for later; today is about the magic of the Challenge Cup and, at last, renewing that rivalry once more.