BUOYED by their opening day win at Wakefield, Vikings welcome champions Leeds Rhinos to Widnes on Sunday, 3pm.

The game will see the senior home debuts of a host of off-season signings – Corey Thompson, Setaimata Sa, Connor Farrell, Chris Houston and Chris Bridge.

And the big match experience accumulated by most of those will be important in a game against a star-packed Rhinos side left licking its wounds after their opening day defeat to Warrington.

Centre Bridge, who joined from the Wolves in the off-season, is looking forward to consolidating Vikings’ good start to the campaign and relishing the chance to display his assets.

Bridge said: “I have played in some big games and bring the experience of knowing what it takes to win most weeks.

“I am just looking forward to enjoying my rugby and making my edge solid.”

The 31-year-old centre spelled out the positive reasons why he made the short move from Warrington on a two-year deal.

And he sees a team that is moving forward, with the pundits’ pre-season dismissal of their chances being like water off a duck’s back.

He said: “One of the things that drew me to Widnes is the numbers 9,7,6 and 1 here.

“We have got real talent here and can throw the ball about a bit.

“If we get a bit of confidence I think we can do something special this year.

“We know what class we have, we are not bothered what other people think we are or are not going to do.

“If we get off to a good start, then confidence and belief in sport is massive.”

Of the players here Bridge said he was looking forward to playing with fellow new signing Chris Houston.

He only arrived from Australia seven days before the Wakefield game but gelled well with his new teammates.