Bradford Bulls expect to hear at the end of the Five Nations Championship whether their bid to lure an established international have been successful.

One man rumoured to be in their sights is Cardiff strongman winger Gareth Thomas who was first chased by former Odsal coach Brian Smith around two years ago.

And they have also been linked to Richmond's Welsh international centre Allan Bateman who had a distinguished spell in rugby league with Warrington before returning to union.

Bateman's club contract is due to expire at the end of the season.

Bulls chairman Chris Caisley refused to confirm new interest in Thomas but admits the champions have been talking to two big name union three-quarters although he dismissed weekend reports of a move for England and Leicester centre Will Greenwood.

"Will Greenwood is one of only a few union backs we think would adapt quickly to Super League," explained Caisley. "But he is not one of the two players we have been talking to for some time." But Caisley admitted one stumbling block to a speedy and successful conclusion is the complex contractual position of modern day union stars.

"Players are tied up not only with clubs but with their national body and it can make it a very expensive business.

"We expect to know one way or the other by the end of the Five Nations.

"But if the outcome goes against us we would then have to look at whether it was still possible to do a deal for next year."

The Bulls have been keen to add to their three-quarter strength for some months despite the signing of Tevita Vaikona from Hull.

Wingers Abi Ekoku, Andy Hodgson and Jon Scales were all ruled out of the Challenge Cup defeat at Castleford due to injury although they are expected to be available again for Super League.

Meanwhile the Bulls are still in the process of fixing a warm-up game after their cup exit left them with the prospect of a month on the sidelines.

They are aiming for a home clash on Sunday, March 22. Warrington Wolves are among the club they are talking to.

The Bulls will get the chance to sharpen their competitive edge on Thursday when they take on Halifax Blue Sox in a charity go-karting challenge at Pole Position in Thornton Road (2.pm). Fans can attend free or race alongside their heroes for a cost of £10 with the proceeds going to Marie Curie Cancer Care.

l Castleford referee Steve Presley, criticised for his performance in London Broncos' Silk Cut Challenge Cup fifth-round win over Halifax, has been omitted from the panel of officials for the quarter-finals.

Brothers Bob and John Connolly, from Wigan, Castleford's Russell Smith and Stuart Cummings of Widnes are in charge of this weekend's last-eight ties.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.