Hard-hitting Rugby League action returns to Nottingham with a bang this Saturday with Challenge Cup action and Nottingham Outlaws coach Paul Calland admits he cannot wait.

The game marks the first game of the new 2012 season for the club and they will do battle against Yorkshire Cup winners Hunslet Old Boys in the preliminary round of Rugby League’s oldest cup competition.

Speaking exclusively to OutlawsTV, Calland said: “Pre-season has been going really good and the boys have been enthusiastic as ever. We have had good numbers and the coaching team are pretty happy with the way things have been taking shape.

“We can’t wait for the game on Saturday. The Challenge Cup is steeped in tradition and we are looking forward to going on a bit of a cup run.

“It’s not ideal that we will be playing a team in the middle of their season and they will be match fit but our boys can’t wait for it to get started.”

It is the first Challenge Cup game to be played at Harvey Hadden since the early 90s and Nottingham will be hoping to overcome last year’s last minute heartbreaking loss in the competition to the RAF to book their place in the first round.

A win against Hunslet will set up another home tie and a potential repeat of a 2010 preliminary round match up against University of Hull, who must first overcome Waterhead and one player back in contention for the Outlaws after missing half of last season after breaking his collarbone is Steve Page.

He said: “I have been doing a lot of work in the off-season and I have been down here training now and I’m looking forward to the Challenge Cup. I‘ve been taking contact on the shoulder and it’s come through ok so it’s all looking good.

“It was really hard at the back end of last season watching from the sidelines and I really wanted to get out there to help the boys out.

“The Challenge Cup is really big; it’s a competition you grow up with, watching it on TV and it’s really fun to be a part of it.”

Steve Page was also talking to OutlawsTV and to find the interview follow the links on www.nottinghamrl.co.uk.

The Challenge Cup kicks off at 2pm on Saturday 4th February at Harvey Hadden Stadium.