Robbie Paul has one key word for tomorrow's home game against Castleford Tigers: Vital.

The versatile Bulls skipper is very conscious of the Tetley's Super League table, and said: "We need to win to keep the pressure on Leeds and to stay clear of the pack beneath us."

He added: "It is a vital game for us, and we also know that we have a game in hand on most of the other clubs. That means that we cannot afford to relax because we know we will have a tougher schedule further down the line where we have to catch up a game.

"That will be very difficult for us, and we are not taking for granted that we are near the top."

The last time the teams met competitively, play-off chasing Castleford hammered the Bulls 44-14 at The Jungle in August. But Paul countered this result by bringing in the 'Odsal factor'. He said: "I don't think there is any team that has not come to Odsal and had their backsides whipped. Probably the most successful team to come to Odsal in recent times have been Wigan.

"Odsal is unlike any other stadium in that it is a bowl and you go down into it, whereas other stadiums tend to meet you. I like to call it a cauldron of pain, and the noise is bigger than at Valley Parade - simply because there are about 4,000 more fans at Odsal than there were at Valley Parade."

Bulls coach Brian Noble warned the Tigers will be coming to win tomorrow.

"They have that great balance between experienced players, high-quality overseas players and some exciting youngsters coming through, and those are always the hallmarks of a good side."

Tomorrow's match-day programme will be a cup final special.

In last night's Super League action, Leeds - playing their third game in seven days - beat London Broncos 32-14 to move five points clear at the top.

Wakefield tasted their first victory at Knowsley Road for 23 years as they overcame St Helens 16-10 while Warrington cruised to victory over bottom club Halifax 38-8.