PETER WRIGHT and Robert Thornton warmed up for the start of the Betway Premier League season with a visit to Leeds Rhinos - who kick off their First Utility Super League campaign on Thursday night.
The city of Leeds sees two major sporting fixtures open their respective seasons on the same night, with the First Direct Arena hosting the Betway Premier League's ten superstars and Headingley Carnegie Stadium seeing champions Leeds Rhinos host Warrington Wolves.
Wright and Thornton linked up with Rhinos captain Danny McGuire and Super League's Man of Steel Zak Hardaker ahead of their opening fixtures on Thursday night as the two event's trophies came face-to-face.
Scottish star Thornton is returning to darts' Premier League after previously competing in 2013 and 2014, having won the 2015 World Grand Prix to return to the world's top ten.
"I'm glad to be back in it and it should be fun," said Thornton. "Darts is so big now and being in the Premier League has made it a little bit sweeter for me.
"I love getting up there and playing and entertaining people, and hopefully I'll play my best this season.
"In the first year I was in it I finished fifth and the following year I just avoided the cut - and nobody wants to go out after nine weeks. You've got to be at your best all the time, and if you don't perform you'll be out."
Thornton's World Grand Prix victory saw him claim a 5-4 win in sets against Michael van Gerwen as he followed up his 2012 UK Open triumph with a second major PDC title.
"The World Grand Prix was brilliant," he reflects. "I went into this year's event with nothing going on outside of darts - the previous year I'd had my mum's funeral during the event - so I was able to concentrate on the tournament.
"Win or lose, I love the double-start format anyway and going all the way this year proved that the game I had against James the year before - when I hit the nine-darter - wasn't a fluke and I could carry it on to the end.
"It's one of the sweetest wins of my life, and to do it against the world number one is the way you want to win a title."
Thornton joins Scottish-born rivals Wright and Gary Anderson in the Premier League field, and he admits that the sport is thriving in his homeland at present.
"Scottish darts is on the up and it's great to see at all levels," he added. "I know some people who are out playing four or five nights a week in the leagues and the sport is thriving.
"I'm really looking forward to playing back in Glasgow at The Hydro. It was very noisy when I played there before, and I know the Scottish lads will get a great reception, especially Gary as World Champion.
"It's been a fairytale for Gary to win two World Championships in a row and the challenge is there for us to stop him!"
Wright, meanwhile, hopes to be inspired by the Rhinos' success - after they scooped rugby league's treble in 2015 - by claiming his maiden major title this year.
"I'm looking forward to this year," said Wright. "In my opinion, the standard of darts is going to go even higher this year because Michael van Gerwen wants more, Phil Taylor wants to get back winning big titles and Gary Anderson too, and guys like Adrian Lewis, James Wade and myself are practising really hard.
"I think you'll see the averages go even higher, which will be great for the fans and people watching on TV.
"This year, I'll win TV tournaments and the aim is to go and win the Premier League now. I'm experienced enough now to go and win it, and I'm afraid of nobody."
Wright will take on Premier League debutant Michael Smith in Leeds, and he added: "I've been very, very impressed by Michael Smith.
"He's done immensely well to get into the top ten and he's a fantastic darts player - he will be a future World Champion, easily.
"But it's my job to welcome him nicely to the Premier League with a whitewash! In my first year I was top of the league for six weeks or so, and Michael's got to go out and enjoy it.
"It's totally different to any other TV tournament and it's a privilege to play in the Premier League."
Wright's colourful outfits and flamboyant walk-on have made him a crowd favourite around the world, and he is eager to return to the Premier League stage in front of over 9,000 fans in Leeds.
"We're travelling all around the world and it was amazing to go to Japan last year and see people dressed up as me, with the hair and everything!" he said.
"It was fantastic. When you see that and for the crowd to support you like they did there, or in Germany last year, you don't want to let them down."
* Tickets for Thursday's Betway Premier League at the First Direct Arena in Leeds are still available by calling 0844 248 1585 or online via www.eventim.co.uk.