Brian Noble has pledged he will be in charge of the Bulls for their end-of-season showdown with world champions Australia at Valley Parade.

Great Britain assistant coach Noble was facing a double-booking on the weekend of October 27/28 as the national side face France in Carcassonne in the build-up to their First Test with the Aussies at Bolton the following weekend.

But Noble told the T&A: "I haven't discussed the matter with the chairman yet, but I expect to be with the Bulls. It's a massive day for the club and as head coach I don't want to miss it. I played in a couple of tour games for the club against Australia and it's something you don't forget.

"On current form I would expect four or five of our players to be with Great Britain in France but I'm confident we can still put a competitive team on the field."

Noble has already had discussions with new GB coach David Waite but part of the agreement with the Rugby Football League is that it does not cut across his work with the Bulls.

Meanwhile, Noble is expecting to pick from a virtually full strength squad for the derby visit of Halifax Blue Sox to Valley Parade on Friday night.

Scott Naylor, who has a hamstring injury, and Shane Rigon, struggling with an ankle knock, both reported improvement yesterday and have been named in a provisional 19-man squad.

Blue Sox back-rower Paul Davidson is free to play after being cleared of any blame for an incident which left St Helens forward Wayne McDonald nursing a broken jaw.

The Bulls Alliance side are in action against Halifax tonight. The match is being played at the Ovenden Park home of Halifax Rugby Union Club (7.30pm).

The side will include three-quarter Nathan McAvoy.