Bulls’ two fixtures on same day

12:10am Monday 24th November 2008

The Bulls start Super League XIV a week earlier than expected after the World Club Challenge inadvertently caused chaos with their pre-season plans for a second year running.

Steve McNamara’s side open up against Harlequins at Twickenham Stoop on Sunday, February 8 – despite having already arranged a final friendly at Hull KR the SAME day.

Super League’s official round one kick-off is not until February 13 but champions Leeds Rhinos begin a week earlier, bringing forward their round three home tie against Celtic Crusaders to free up space for the World Club Challenge on March 1.

However, their Australian foes Manly have taken the unprecedented step of organising a warm-up against Super League opponents on February 19.

Harlequins are the chosen opposition, which means the Londoners’ round two fixture – against Bradford – is consequently switched too.

It is the second campaign in succession McNamara has had to cancel a planned friendly with Hull KR.

Last year’s affair was ditched when Rovers were forced to start early against the Rhinos due to Leeds’ World Club Challenge commitments with Melbourne Storm.

It means the Bulls, already without their traditional friendly at Keighley Cougars in 2009, have just two warm-up fixtures, neither against Super League opposition.

They head to Dewsbury Rams on January 23 and Whitehaven on February 1.

Ironically, Bradford do face Hull KR in round one with their Grattan Stadium clash on Sunday, February 15.

Other fixtures of note see them entertain Leeds on April 10, host newcomers Celtic Crusaders on May 17 and make their first trip to Bridgend on July 25.

FEBRUARY

Sun 8 Harlequins A

Sun 15 Hull KR H

Fri 27 Huddersfield (7.30pm) H

MARCH

Fri 6 Wigan (8pm) A

Sun 15 Hull FC H

Sat 21 Catalans (7.30pm) A

Sun 29 Castleford (3.30pm) A

APRIL

Fri 10 Leeds (7.30pm) H

Mon 13 Wakefield (3.30pm) A

Sun 19 Warrington H

Fri 24 St Helens (8pm) A

MAY

Sat/Sun 2/3 Wakefield (Magic weekend)

Sun 17 Celtic H

Fri 22 Salford (8pm) A

JUNE

Sun 7 Wakefield H

Sun 14 Warrington A

Sun 21 St Helens H

Fri 26 Leeds Rhinos (8pm) A

JULY

Sun 5 Castleford H

Sun 12 Hull KR A

Sun 19 Wigan Warriors H

Sat 25 Celtic (6pm) A

AUGUST

Sun 2 Harlequins H

Sun 16 Huddersfield Giants A

Sun 23 Catalans H

SEPTEMBER

Sun 6 Salford H

Fri 11 Hull FC (8pm) A