THE Bulls are poised to hand debuts to three of their under-19s in the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup against Featherstone Rovers on Sunday.

Prop forwards Brandan Wilkinson and Evan Hodgson and stand-off Reiss Butterworth are set to step in for the fourth-round tie at Odsal as the loan quartet of Jordan Lilley, Sam Hallas, Joshua Jordan-Roberts and Mikolaj Oledzki have been ruled out.

Bulls interim head coach Leigh Beattie said: "Leeds Rhinos do not want them to be cup-tied.

"It is a blow but it gives some of our older 19s, who have been training with the first team, an opportunity.

"It will also mean that players such as Leon Pryce and Scott Moore's experience will be needed even more."

Rovers lie second in the Kingstone Press Championship table after winning five of their six matches, while the Bulls are bottom, having wiped out half of their 12-point deficit.

Beattie said: "Featherstone are a good side but they also lose their Leeds loanees (Cory Aston, Ash Handley, Jack Ormondroyd, Jordan Baldwinson, Jason Walton and Anthony Mullally) and we will not be lying down."

The Rhinos have a dual registration agreement with Rovers.

Meanwhile, the Bulls have announced one of their own with League One outfit Hunslet, who already ironically have links with Leeds and Featherstone.

Beattie said of the mutual arrangement: "Besides the priceless time the players get from minutes on the field, it is also important that they continue to develop and improve.

"We know the players that will be linked with the side are in safe hands with James Coyle. He has a great work ethic with players and they will benefit plenty from spending time with him."

Bulls joint-owner Andrew Chalmers added: "Used correctly, it can be of great benefit to both parties and we are looking forward to a fruitful relationship with them."