TONY Smith says a clash with the reigning Super League champions is an exciting way to kick off his eighth season in charge at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.

The Warrington Wolves coach will send his side to the current champions and his former club Leeds Rhinos tonight, Thursday.

The 49-year-old said: “It’s certainly an exciting way to start our season at Headingley against the current champions and it’s a challenge that we’re looking forward to.

“I don’t think either team is probably going to be at their very best but I think it will be a good challenge for both, one that we’re really looking forward to and one that they will be too.

“It’s a good way to kick off the season and a nice way for Super League to kick off too, with two teams that will be competing at the back end of the season.”

Both clubs will have a new-look on the field, with Leeds stalwarts Kevin Sinfield and Jamie Peacock departing the club at the end of the 2015 season.

Their new signings Beau Falloon, Brett Ferres and Keith Galloway could be in line to make their debuts at Headingley tonight.

In the Warrington Wolves camp, Kurt Gidley, Joe Westerman, Tom Lineham, Jack Hughes, Jordan Cox and Benjamin Julien could all be set for their competitive bow for the Wire having been named in Smith’s 19 man squad.

He added: “They’ve probably still got some adjusting to do without some of their key players and we’re probably making some adjustments to our new players as well.

“It’s difficult when you lose some players of that calibre in some respects – we found it difficult when Briers, Monaghan, Morley and a few others retired or moved on.

“It’s tough but they’ll still be dangerous in many ways – some of their outside backs are very capable and very dangerous and they’ll pose the same sort of challenges they did last year.

“They’ll be different and we will be too this year – it’s exciting and it’s going to be a good match up.”

Veteran Kurt Gidley, who arrived from Newcastle Knights in the off-season, is looking set to line up alongside Chris Sandow in the halves.

Tony added: “At the moment Kurt will play in the halves but he’ll play wherever he’s needed and can contribute best – at the moment that’s half back, and when Stefan returns we’ll see if things are still building well.

“If he’s needed elsewhere he’s able to slot into so many different positions and play them well but we’ve got no intention of changing things unless we need to.

“Kurt’s experience, know-how, calmness and understanding of the game has been really good for us so far and he’s passing that knowledge on to the other players in meetings, in training and in games.

“Our boys have got plenty to learn and to gain playing alongside of Kurt.”

Centre Ryan Atkins will miss the season-opener, having picked up an elbow injury in training – he joins Stefan Ratchford, Mitchell Dodds, Ben Harrison, Ryan Bailey, James Laithwaite, Ben Evans and Toby King on the sidelines.

“Ryan Atkins is going to miss the game, he’s had a bang on his elbow in training and some swelling – he’ll almost definitely be right for round two.

“Ryan Atkins will be back for the Hull KR games, Ryan Bailey and Ben Evans will be pushing for the Wakefield game and a few weeks after that Stefan will be back.

“A few players could have done with another hit out but unfortunately the Barrow game was washed out but I think that’s made everybody more eager to get out there and do their best.”