JAMES Clare is hoping the Bulls supporters can outnumber the Featherstone fans and inspire their side to victory in tomorrow’s winner-takes-all showdown.

Rohan Smith’s men head to Post Office Road aiming to stamp their name on a spot in the top four and place in the promotion-deciding Qualifiers.

Clare grew up in Castleford and made his Super League name at his hometown club, so has always viewed rivals Featherstone with natural suspicion.

With around 3,000 Bulls followers set to make the short trip along the M62, Clare reckons the raucous away backing can give his side a major boost.

The 25-year-old winger, who is expected to shake off a minor knock and play on the right flank, said: “I've said before as a Castleford lad that it's bred into you that you don't like Featherstone.

“When Daryl Powell was at Featherstone before he went to Cas, they were at the top of the league every single year.

“They have got a winning mentality and their supporters will give us some stick this weekend, I’m sure.

“It's all good banter and we enjoy that from the crowd.

“The Bradford fans always travel brilliantly and, if we can outnumber the Featherstone fans in their own ground, that would be a huge boost.

“We have sold a couple of thousand tickets ourselves, so it's going to be a great occasion.

“As players we always say that the support helps us, but it genuinely does.

“When you're defending on your line, or gasping for air because you're tired, the fans can give you that little boost which can help you.

“The referees can also be swayed at times by the crowd and what they shout for.”

Ben Thaler will referee the match and Clare has applauded the RFL’s decision to appoint the leading Super League official.

Clare said: “There are a lot of quality referees in Super League and Ben Thaler is one who stands out for me as being a very fair bloke and one of the very best.”

Clare has enjoyed a fine campaign, scoring 18 tries, and is the only ever-present in the Bulls’ squad this season.

Having played every game, he is desperate to extend his team’s campaign into the Qualifiers, where they would face Leeds, Huddersfield, Salford and Hull KR.

“From the players through to the coaching staff, these are the games you have got to win,” said Clare.

“It's almost a cup final because you have to win to get to where you want to be.

“You have then got to win the next seven games in the middle eights if you want to get promoted.

“If you want to get into Super League, you've got to beat the Super League teams.

“What better team to face than Leeds Rhinos, last season's treble winners? Playing at Headingley would be fantastic.”

The Bulls have extended the loan spells of St Helens half-back and Wakefield hooker Stuart Howarth until the end of the season.

Joe Philbin will return to Warrington after this weekend’s game and Oscar Thomas has been sent to London Skolars for a month and James Mendeika has joined Oldham.

Lee Gaskell could return from injury tomorrow but there is no Epalahame Lauaki or Steve Crossley with Ben Kavanagh and Adam Sidlow the only two recognised props in the 19-man squad.

Clare said: “There is always that element of matching fire with fire and the big men will be going at it early doors.

“But I just think we need to be a little bit smart because, with two bulls running at each other, there is never going to be a winner.

“If you can pick those opportunities, and there will only be a few during the game, then we need to take them.

“We just want to win promotion by winning seven out of seven during the eights.

“But we've got to focus on getting there first and that means beating Featherstone this weekend.

“Featherstone have been in very good form lately and the players from Leeds Rhinos have obviously boosted them a little bit.

“But we're just focusing on ourselves and if we stick to what we are good at then I don't think we will be far off.”