Bradford Bulls skipper Robbie Paul is warning of tough times ahead when the Super League leaders meet their old rivals Halifax.

The West Yorkshire derby has established a stormy reputation in recent seasons and Paul knows better than most.

He sustained broken ribs and a collapsed lung in a match against the Blue Sox last year and is expecting another fierce physical encounter.

"They have traditionally always been niggly affairs," he said. "We have a couple of Halifax boys in our side and they will have people who aren't too keen on the Bulls.

"One thing about playing against your mates is that you want to bash them up and this game isn't going to be any different.

"It's going to be a bash festival, a very physical game and there is going to be a lot of niggling going on and probably a couple of punch-ups - all the things that make rugby league so much better than any other game."

The Bulls, who produced some of their best rugby of the season in last week's impressive 33-14 win at Leeds, have the chance to strengthen their lead this weekend, with their nearest rivals Hull and Wigan meeting each other tomorrow.

The Bulls are unbeaten at home this season and Paul says the players are actually benefiting from their enforced move from Odsal.

"I am glad that the game is at Valley Parade," he said. "The atmosphere has surpassed even that of Odsal, just because of the way the stadium is built.

"The fans turn out in great numbers and the noise that they make there is electrifying.

"We talk about it off the pitch and it makes home games even more special because our fans are just bringing down the house and making a huge racket."

Halifax were thrashed 68-18 by the Bulls at The Shay in the fifth-round of the Challenge Cup this season and their coach Steve Linnane admits: "I don't think anyone would have beaten Bradford the day

"But I must say they played very well against Leeds last week as well.

"They can steam-roller teams and we've got to make sure they don't do it to us tomorrow.

"If we're at our best we're capable of beating them. We need to stop their offloads and I don't think it's any secret that we need to stop their second-phase play because that's where Henry and Robbie Paul are so dangerous."

Although Halifax have won just one of their last eight matches, Linnane insists the team are making progress and was delighted with the performance in last week's 32-26 injury-time defeat at St Helens.