BRADFORD Bulls head coach John Kear is excited by the prospect of seeing a Yorkshire Cup return to the rugby league calendar, but he insists that a good season in the Betfred Championship is his side's main focus in 2019.

The first tournament of its type in over 25 years is due to go ahead in January, with eight Championship and League One clubs set to partake.

Kear was pleased to hear about the tournament making a comeback of sorts but he was cautious for several reasons too, saying: "It gives a meaning to pre-season but we can't let it be a distraction, as we've got a job to do in the Championship.

"It is nice for us to have that game against York on Boxing Day and then this set of games though because it will give us an idea of our best team for round one of the Championship.

"It will be useful as it gives us a chance to try out different combinations and of course we want to do well in every tournament we play in."

Asked whether he hopes the rekindled tournament will eventually include Super League sides like Leeds Rhinos and Huddersfield Giants, Kear laughed: "It would certainly be better than loop fixtures but we'll not get too far ahead of ourselves."

Bulls chairman Andrew Chalmers revealed in his T&A column on Saturday that opening-round double headers would take place at Dewsbury Rams' Tetley's Stadium and Bulls' Odsal ground.

York are set to face Keighley Cougars at Dewsbury on Saturday, January 5 followed by the Rams taking on Featherstone. Then Batley tackle Hunslet the day after at Odsal (1pm) with Bulls taking on Halifax (3pm).

The original Yorkshire Cup ran between 1905 and 1992, with Kear happy to recall some personal memories from his own playing days at Castleford.

He said: "I remember playing in the final against Hull at Elland Road in front of about 20,000 people. It was a really big deal back then.

"If it gets good support when it starts off again next year, it could become an important property for the RFL."

Bradford Northern won the original incarnation of the tournament 11 times, with their last triumph coming in 1989 under Australian head coach Ron Willey.

They defeated Featherstone Rovers 20-14 in a thrilling final, with the game taking place at Headingley.