Powell is wary of Bulls' threat

Tonight's meeting between Bradford and Leeds is being built up, quite justifiably, as the biggest match in Super League so far this season.

Not only is it their first encounter since the high drama of the Challenge Cup final last month and likely to be played in front of the biggest league crowd this year, it could also have a marked effect on the way that the top of the table looks. If the Bulls win at Odsal tonight, they will go ahead of their local rivals for the first time this season and the Rhinos coach, Daryl Powell, recognises the danger they pose.

"I think they are the best team in the competition at the moment, even though we're on top," he said.

Powell will check whether Chev Walker's shoulder injury will allow him to return before finalising his side, and he has also added Danny Ward to his squad.

James Lowes will be back for the Bulls, after being given a rest against Huddersfield last week, and Rob Parker has been passed fit after twisting his ankle in that match. Leon Pryce is serving the second of his two-match suspension, so Karl Pratt is likely to continue at stand-off against the club who sacked him last year.

For tonight's other game, Wigan rest the battered Danny Sculthorpe against Halifax, with Ricky Bibey coming into the front row and Kevin Brown filling the vacancy on the bench.

Last-placed Halifax are sending their loose forward, Shayne McMenemy, for a scan on his back injury and are also likely to be without their former Wigan full-back, Daryl Cardiss.

The London Broncos coach, Tony Rea, has swung the axe for Sunday's game at Wakefield. Rea has dropped Rob Jackson, Damien Kennedy and Richard Marshall in the wake of last weekend's 62-16 thrashing at St Helens and has relegated Super League's leading try-scorer last season, Dennis Moran, to the substitutes' bench.

Leigh, of National League One, have denied that they could be forced to stop playing matches at Hilton Park, because of a mix-up over their safety certificate.