Saturday's season opener will see the return of Long to Knowsley Road.

Long, who joined Hull in the close season and will skipper the Airlie Birds, will be the focus of attention on the night but former team-mate Paul Wellens, while admitting that the mercurial scrum half may prove a handful, felt it would be folly to ignore other players around him.

The Great Britain international full back said: "Sean will be looking to command the game but there are other players we will need to watch, including fellow half back Richard Horne who I expect to have a lot more freedom to express himself."

Wellens didn't feature in the England squad which competed in the end-of-season Four Nations championship along with team-mates Ade Gardner, Leon Pryce and Maurie Fa'asavalu and believes they will all benefit from an extended break.

"It was the first time since 2003 that I have been able to have extra time off and from a personal point of view I'm feeling the benefits in both body and mind."

He added: "I will never rule out playing international rugby again but my immediate aim to play well consistently during the coming season and hopefully pick up some more silverware."