Bradford Bulls have arranged a friendly with Leeds Rhinos on Saturday in a bid to improve match fitness.

The Bulls faced a two week lay-off before Saturday week's Challenge Cup fifth round tie at Castleford while the Rhinos faced six weeks on the sidelines after being pipped by the Tigers at the weekend.

Now the sides are to clash at Odsal and coach Matthew Elliott is expected to give several fringe players a run-out.

Leeds coach Graham Murray may play an even stronger side as he battles to keep his senior side active prior to the start of Super League in April.

"We will not be charging any admission," said marketing manager Jackie Butson. "It is by way of a thank you to our fans who have supported us superbly through purchasing replica strips and season tickets."

Among those under consideration could be Bernard Dwyer who may be asked to prove his fitness ahead of the Wheldon Road tie.

"Bernard is just about ready to go after his close season groin surgery and it would be nice to have him available for Castleford," said Elliott.

"Every time he has been fit he has been selected so it makes for an interesting selection headache."

Meanwhile Elliott is awaiting news on Sonny Nickle who has had an X-rays on the shin in-jury which caused him to miss the tie at Rochdale.

Tickets for the fifth round tie at Castleford on Saturday week will be available to season ticket holders on Friday between 9.30am and 7.00pm. Fans should produce voucher B.

They will then go on general sale at Odsal on Saturday. They will be available between 9.30am and kick-off at 2.30pm.

Telephone bookings can be made from Monday.

The Bulls have received an al-location of 5,000 ground tickets and 600 for the stand. Capacity is around 11,700.

The St Helens versus Warrington Challenge Cup tie has been chosen for live coverage by Sunday Grandstand on March 1.

It will see Great Britain ace Paul Sculthorpe in action against his former club.

David Bradshaw, sacked recently as Wigan chief executive has been recruited by Super League rivals Salford, where he will be responsible for increasing sponsorship.

Retired schoolmaster John Cornwell, 58, a former deputy leader of South Yorkshire Council, has been appointed inaugural chairman of the Youth Commission, the body set up to establish a common policy for the development of junior rugby league in Britain and Ireland.

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