DANNY Addy cannot wait to get stuck into best pal James Donaldson when the Bulls face Hull KR in the Challenge Cup next weekend.

The back-rowers progressed through the ranks together at Odsal and remain close friends following Donaldson’s move to the Robins at the end of last season.

Donaldson has been back to watch the Bulls this season and Addy attended the Hull derby over Easter to support his former team-mate as Rovers beat their bitter rivals at the KC Stadium.

Addy admits next Sunday’s fifth-round tie showdown will provide the Bulls with an acid test of their promotion pedigree ahead of the end-of-season Super Eights.

The 23-year-old said: “I’m best mates with Donno and we catch up together all the time through the week.

“I went to watch him in the Hull derby over Easter and it’ll be good to play against him. I’m pleased to see him doing so well at Hull KR and he’s a quality player and a great lad.

“He’s always been a good defender and a great workhorse, so I’m sure it will be an enjoyable game. But for those 80 minutes, it’s the old saying, all friendships go out of the window.

“This game will be a big test for us and that’s what we want.

“Hull KR have been playing really well in the last couple of weeks but we’re not going to be showing them too much respect. We will just focus on doing our jobs.”

Donaldson was keen to stay in Super League after the Bulls were relegated during a disastrous 2014 campaign.

But Addy remained loyal to the Bulls and signed a new two-year deal.

He said: “It was never really in my mind to leave.

“I love this club and, with the squad we’ve got and the set-up here, we’re hoping to dominate this league and go straight back up.

“We’re looking to build every week for the Super Eights and we see every game as a must-win.

“It’s a cup final for every team who comes up against Bradford and we’ve got to match that and then better it.

“Halifax and Dewsbury gave us tough games over Easter and London will be looking to do something similar this weekend.

“But we’re just aiming to maintain this winning run heading into the Hull KR game. To go into next weekend on the back of nine straight wins would be very pleasing indeed.”