Hull FC will be champing at the bit to bounce back in the play-offs after their Challenge Cup final defeat to Wigan.
The Black and Whites have talented players in their ranks to call upon and, since Adam Pearson acquired the club, they have serious financial clout.
That led to the signing of second row-star and England Test ace Gareth Ellis from the West Tigers.
Another signing was Hull KR skipper Ben Galea which, added to the likes of Andy Lynch, Danny Tickle and Joe Westerman in the forwards, made for a fierce-looking pack.
The emergence of academy starlets Ben Crooks, Tom Lineham and Jamie Shaul in the back line also look exciting, alongside the international three-quarter pairing of Tom Briscoe and Kirk Yeaman.
However, despite being tipped by many to be the dark horses at the start of the season, the men from the east coast had an up-and-down start to the campaign.
But everything then came together in their cup run, where they beat Warrington in the semi-final before losing out to Wigan in the Wembley final.
After last Friday’s win at home to Catalan in rain-sodden conditions, the momentum may be behind them tonight at the John Smith’s Stadium.
Youngster Jamie Shaul is the man who has come from nowhere to become one of Hull’s biggest weapons.
Shaul started the season on dual registration terms at York, where he struggled to get in the team for the Championship strugglers.
But a rise to the fore, including star performances in the Cup final and last Friday against Catalan, will mean Shaul is one of the men to watch tonight.
Australian coach Peter Gentle has a big job on his hands to get the Airlie Birds flying high.
The Former Kangaroos assistant came over to England after serving his apprenticeship under West Tigers coach Tim Sheens.
He was also linked with the posts at Wigan, as well as fierce rivals Kingston Rovers, but Gentle chose to join the Black and Whites and, despite inconsistent results, he guided them to sixth in the table in his first campaign.
But with even further investment on his playing roster this season, Gentle was under no illusions. He has to go a lot further in 2013 and is still under pressure to deliver despite a Cup final appearance.
