Bradford Bulls insist they have no plans to turn their back on more than 100 years of rugby league history in the city and switch to the 15-a-side code.

Leicester Tigers chief executive Peter Wheeler, the former England captain, caused a furore in league circles by claiming that unification talks were under way with top Super League clubs.

Wheeler declined to reveal the clubs involved but it is thought that Zurich Premiership franchises could be left open for the 2002-03 season to tempt Super League's "big four" of Wigan, Bradford Bulls, St Helens and Leeds Rhinos.

The Bulls are seriously considering following Leeds' example of operating a rugby union team to make fuller use of Odsal once the proposed re-development is completed, but chief executive Abi Ekoku insists Rugby League will take precedence.

"We have been very open on this issue from the start," said Ekoku. "We are planning to occupy a new stadium from 2003 and, as part of our feasibility study, we need to look at a total use of the facility.

"The prospect of having a core second user would make sense. A Bradford Bulls rugby un-ion side as well as the Bulls rugby league side wouldn't be a bad option but it would be dependent upon a thorough research of our own market place.

"But rugby league is our game and certainly there's been no in-depth talks with anybody."

lBulls fans who want a guaranteed seat in the Ciba Stand for Sunday's game against Leeds Rhinos at Valley Parade are being advised to purchase a ticket from Odsal before Sunday. Although there will be no enforced segregation, due to the large number of Leeds fans expected to attend, sections E, F & G of the Ciba Stand are being set aside for Rhinos supporters. Entry to this area is gained via Gates E7 to E12.

Sections A, B, C & D of the Ciba Stand are available to Bulls Supporters. Entry to this area of the Stadium is gained via Gates E1 to E6.

The Odsal office will be open until 8.30pm tonight, 9am-5.30pm tomorrow and 9.30am to 12.30pm on Saturday.

Pre-match entertainment begins at 2.20pm and will feature Motown soul legend Edwin Starr.