Bulls legend Robbie Hunter-Paul is desperately hoping his 17-year professional career does not come to an abrupt halt at the Leigh Sports Village tonight.

The 35-year-old former Bradford favourite, who has graced the British game with distinction since 1994, will be in the Leigh Centurions team taking on Sheffield Eagles for a place in the Co-operative Championship Grand Final.

Victory would give Hunter-Paul the chance to bow out on a high at Warrington’s Halliwell Jones Stadium on Sunday week but defeat would see him hanging up his boots ten days earlier than planned.

“I don’t want this to be my last game and that’s a hugely motivating factor,” said the former Bulls, Huddersfield and Salford half-back.

“Even if we make it to the final and win, it will still be very emotional for me. I’ve been playing rugby for 31 years and I’ve had to accept that it’s now time to call it a day and I’m having to get my head around that.”

Hunter-Paul, who won the Lance Todd Trophy while at Bradford in 1996 after becoming the first player to score a hat-trick of tries in a Challenge Cup final at Wembley, is going for a double with the Centurions after helping them lift the Northern Rail Cup earlier this year.