Boxing Day rugby could be back on with the Bulls for the first time in a decade.

Chairman Peter Hood today revealed the club are in advanced talks with rivals Castleford Tigers about setting up a festive fixture.

Although it is too late for this year they do hope to agree a deal soon to play at The Jungle on December 26, 2009 – and then make it an annual event.

Since the advent of summer rugby, Boxing Day friendlies have been quite common with Super League outfits, mainly for financial reasons.

However, Bradford have not featured in one since visiting Leeds Rhinos in 1999.

Hood is keen to get in on the act though and said: “It’s something that is under active consideration.

“There was the opportunity potentially to play Castleford this Boxing Day but for various logistical reasons it didn’t quite work out.

“Both clubs were quite keen to see if it is possible next year though and we’re looking into that now.

“It would be quite a new step for us as we’ve not done it in recent years but we are discussing about going over to Castleford in 2009.”

The Bulls’ most obvious opponents would be arch-rivals Leeds but they have now developed a traditional fixture with Wakefield Trinity Wildcats.

Castleford have no such arrangement – they face Gateshead Thunder this Christmas after Doncaster pulled out – and Hood believes they would be perfect hosts.

“The reason for that is it’s not too far for our fans to travel and Castleford are historically well-supported on Boxing Day,” he said.

“Generally, it’s a fact that the British sporting public do appreciate getting out of the house on Boxing Day and they do support these sort of fixtures.

“They are quite well established and we think many of our fans and other rugby league fans would appreciate the chance to take in a game.

“Also, while most of us are tucking in to Christmas dinner, professional rugby league players aren’t. They are well into their pre-season training and a Boxing Day match can easily become part of their preparation.

“If we did come to an arrangement with Cas – and we hope that will be the case – the game probably wouldn’t be at Odsal because of the difficulty guaranteeing a playing surface here at that time of year.

“We would most likely always go to Castleford and it’s something we’re continuing to work on.”