BULLS travelling to the Shay to face bitter rivals Halifax is a mouthwatering prospect at the best of times.

But with Fax still requiring one more win to guarantee Betfred Championship safety and Bradford needing a victory to stay in with a chance of an automatic home play-off semi-final by finishing second, the occasion is set to be more tense than ever tomorrow.

Asked about whether Bulls will treat this game any differently to their previous 24 in the league, head coach Eamon O’Carroll said: “It’ll be the same again for us, because even though the intensity of the game will go up with it being a derby, we’ll be the ones driving that.

“It’s a long time since we last played Halifax, and they’ve been going through a fair bit since, but they’ll be looking to win this game to ensure they stay up and put a cherry on top of their season.

“They’ll want to forget about what’s happened in the last few months, so we’ve got to have the attitude where we understand the opposition will be desperate, but we should be too.

“If we do as we’ve practiced and keep looking to get better, we’ll have a good day.”

Bulls fans will be out in force for this short away trip, and O’Carroll said: “You always like to play in front of a big crowd, as it always adds to a game, but as soon as the whistle’s blown, it’ll be very much about focusing on our jobs and business as usual.

“There’ll be moments where the crowd do play a part, as I know we’ll travel really well in numbers, given our away following is fantastic.

“I want our lads to enjoy that and feel that when they run out to warm up and run out for kick off.”

That large crowd will be a blessing for Halifax, who have had a turbulent few months financially, like fellow Championship side Whitehaven.

O’Carroll said: “It’s not good to see other clubs going through that, especially in the Championship, as it’s a strong competition.

“It’s not a good look for the game, and there’s an element there where you feel for the clubs who are struggling.

“But we’ve just got to act as professionals when we go up against a side going through that, because we know that adversity will fuel some teams.

“Whitehaven went through it the week they played us, and though the scoreline (58-0) makes it looks like we were really dominant, that was a tough game.

Eamon O'Carroll feels Whitehaven were unlucky to lose this game so heavily at Odsal last month.Eamon O'Carroll feels Whitehaven were unlucky to lose this game so heavily at Odsal last month. (Image: Tom Pearson.)

“You can see those struggles pull people together, and with their backs against the wall, a lot of teams then come out fighting and swinging, so we’ve got to be aware of that.”

Kieran Gill’s tries have been vital to Bulls over the last three seasons, so his return to the squad for the Halifax game after around six weeks out with a hip injury is most welcome.

O’Carroll said: “It’s great timing because it gives Gilly the opportunity to get a couple of games under his belt before the play-offs.

“I think that’ll be important for him, and I want him just to go out there and enjoy it this weekend.

“I know how disappointed he’s been to miss games, so hopefully that hurt fuels him now for the rest of the season.”

O’Carroll confirmed that the club had received some positive news on Eribe Doro’s back injury yesterday, and that the powerful forward could be in line to play in the final game of the regular season at home to Swinton next Sunday.