Steve McNamara has slammed RFL bosses for organising a schedule where Bulls play Leeds Rhinos four times next season.

The Super League XII fixture list was today announced, with Bradford starting against Huddersfield Giants at Grattan Stadium on Sunday, February 11 (3pm).

Brian Noble and Stuart Fielden's first return to Odsal with Wigan takes place less than a fortnight later, predictably in front of the Sky TV cameras, while Bulls' trip to Perpignan falls on June 2.

But the big news is that Bradford will face arch-rivals Leeds on four separate occasions in the regular Super League season alone.

Big guns Wigan and St Helens also face-off four times, while Hull and Hull KR do likewise.

They find themselves in the same situation due to the fact all big derby fixtures are scheduled for a new Millennium Magic round in Cardiff on Saturday/Sunday May 6/7.

Warrington and Salford, Catalans and London and Wakefield and Huddersfield will also play each other four times.

Bulls boss McNamara reckons the unheralded decision is "ridiculous" and sees Super League deviate further still from a level playing field.

"It makes the competition even more lop-sided," he fired.

"We know we have to play some clubs three times because of the six added fixtures and a need for the extra revenue it brings.

"But why do it four - especially when we still play some other sides just twice?

"I realise why they're putting us with Leeds for the Cardiff fixture and that's fair enough - it should attract the fans - but make that our third game with them and don't give us another. Put us against a team we're only playing twice.

"I spoke to (Leeds boss) Tony Smith on the phone and we said it's possible we could play each other seven times next year. It is ridiculous."

Bulls will benefit financially though as two of those fixtures, which are always the most lucrative due to the large attendances attracted, are at Odsal.

For the last two years, Bradford have travelled to Headingley twice and missed out on valuable income.

The biggest beneficiaries though could be Hull FC, who will fancy their chances of taking a full eight points from those four fixtures with newly-promoted neighbours Rovers.

Will those points prove an unfair advantage if this season's runners-up end on top of Super League?

The matches between Bradford and Leeds and Saints and Wigan are certainly likely to be much closer, highlighting the discrepancies in the fixture process.

However, those arguing about player burn-out will be pleased to see the 2007 campaign has been reduced marginally in size from 28 to 27.

Meanwhile, with St Helens in World Club Challenge action on February 23, their round three fixture with Huddersfield has been brought forward to Friday, February 2 - a week earlier than Super League's official opening weekend.

That will leave the Giants with a full-throttle 80 minutes under their belts before visiting Bradford, who have now rearranged their friendly with the Cougars to the same evening, kick-off 7.30pm.