Warrington to part with Busby and Laughton

Warrington have released two international forwards because of long-term injury problems. They have reached severance agreements with Dale Laughton and Dean Busby and have no plans to replace them in next season's squad.

Laughton, a member of Sheffield Eagles' Cup-winning side in 1998 and four times capped by Great Britain, was signed from Huddersfield last season, but managed only 17 games before the onset of a back condition that is still preventing him training.

Busby, previously with St Helens and Hull, started just seven games last year because of a foot injury and the Wolves have decided to cut their losses on the Welsh international.

Bradford have rewarded their young centre, Chris Bridge, for his progress since joining them from Huddersfield – including a place in the England Academy side that beat the Australian Schoolboys for the first time in 30 years – with a four-year contract and a place in their first team squad for the coming season.

The Bulls' coach, Brian Noble, said: "Chris is an outstanding young prospect with a prodigious talent. I'm delighted with the progress he has made since joining us and I feel he can have a very big future in the game."

The Bulls' two close-season signings, Shontayne Hape from the New Zealand Warriors and Karl Pratt from Leeds, will make their debuts in the pre-season friendly at Castleford tonight. Those two, plus Bridge, should more than compensate for the loss of Nathan McAvoy, who is about to join Saracens, from the three-quarter line, Bradford believe.

Halifax's new imports, Lee Finnerty and Dane Dorahy, are also due to make their first appearances, against Wakefield tonight. Wakefield will have Colum Halpenny, Jon Wells and Clinton O'Brien making debuts for their new club.

Also tonight, three professional sides face the prospect of being ejected from the TXU Energi Challenge Cup by amateurs. Chorley Lynx have twice gone out in this way in recent years and face one of the form sides in the National Conference in Leigh Miners Rangers, but should have strengthened sufficiently over the winter to survive.

Sheffield Eagles' player-coach, Mark Aston, will be facing his old amateur club, Oulton, in a potentially tricky tie, whilst Workington Town take on their fellow Cumbrians from Wath Brow.