Bulls to learn deduction appeal fate

Bradford Bulls take to the field at Odsal.

The West Yorkshire club has been waiting to hear when the crucial appointment will be ever since deciding to challenge after new owner Marc Green took charge on April 14.

The hearing, before an independent sporting sanctions appeals panel, will take place three days after Bradford host potential relegation rivals Wakefield Trinity Wildcats.

Francis Cummins’ side were handed the initial punishment by the RFL’s board of directors on February 25 after going into administration for the second time in 18 months.

Experts in financial law and insolvency are on the panel and will be asked to consider the cases put by both Bradford and the RFL.

It has the power to reduce the sanction, overthrow it or uphold it.

The case is critical to the club’s fortunes given relegation has returned to Super League this season with the bottom two certain to drop into the Championship.

Bradford have won just once in their last 10 Super League outings and are currently second from bottom on zero points - above London Broncos on points difference - and eight behind Wakefield.

They have received a boost ahead of Saturday’s trip to Catalan Dragons, however, with the return of three forwards - Antonio Kaufusi, Manase Manuokafoa and James Donaldson - plus ex-Leeds Rhinos loose forward Jordan Baldwinson being able to make his debut after arriving from New Zealand Warriors.