Bradford Bulls and Leeds Rhinos have unfinished business in the Carnegie Challenge Cup fifth round tomorrow, but it has emerged that before this week’s monetary resolution of Bradford’s long-running dispute with Leeds over the signing of Iestyn Harris in 2004, Leeds had offered to wipe out the six-figure Harris debt in exchange for Sam Burgess, 19, the Bulls’ highly rated Great Britain forward.

Burgess, the 2007 engage Super League young player of the year and hottest prospect in the game, is under contract at Odsal until the end of next season. Bradford refused to entertain the idea of him joining Leeds as part of the out-of-court compensation settlement that was finally reached on Wednesday over Harris, whom Leeds established they had first option on when he switched codes back to league from Cardiff Blues.

Harris, the former Leeds captain, took up a £1 million 4½-year deal at Bradford, who were unaware at the time that his old employers had first call on him. The ill-fated deal for Harris is understood to have been partly responsible for Jamie Peacock, the Britain captain, joining Leeds from the 2006 season, as part of an exodus from Bradford related to belttightening at the club.

However, a new Bradford regime was determined not to let go of Burgess when the two clubs met last month to thrash out a solution to the legal wranglings over Harris. Leeds were keen to unite Burgess with his elder brother, Luke, 21, who has been in outstanding form in the Rhinos’ pack. But Bradford refused to budge on Burgess, for whom a longer-term contract must be a priority if Leeds are not to come knocking again soon.

Bradford, still smarting from a second heavy loss of the season to Leeds, in Cardiff last Saturday, entertain Catalans Dragons, last year’s beaten finalists, who are undefeated in nine league and cup matches, while Leeds travel to Harlequins, who have lost all four cup meetings with the Rhinos, the cup favourites.

In today’s televised tie, St Helens, the holders, entertain Warrington Wolves, who have gone 22 matches since they last beat their rivals in 2001. Not the ideal opponents to face amid talk once again of Paul Cullen’s job as Warrington coach being on the line, especially with Simon Moran, the music promoter who is the club’s majority shareholder, specifically saying this week that the target is to reach either the cup final or Grand Final.

Moran said: “It’s the biggest game of the season so far. It’s a tough draw but we’ve got players back and the weather will hopefully help us, although Saints like to pass it around, too. Winning is the only thing that would make it a success. Playing well and getting beaten is no good in a cup game.

“We started the season well and hopefully we’re back on track now after a bit of a dip and we’re back near to full strength.

“It’s too early to assess the season really. If we’d beaten Saints recently, we would have gone second. Our target is to win one of the two trophies or reach a final.”

Hull Kingston Rovers have turned Craven Park into something of a fortress and entertain Huddersfield Giants in tomorrow’s televised tie. Huddersfield did manage a draw there in the league in March.

Match guide

Today

St Helens v Warrington
(3pm; live, BBC One)

Maurie Fa’asavalu returns to Saints’ pack as they look to reach a ninth successive quarter-final.

Tomorrow

Hull KR v Huddersfield
(1.15; live, BBC Two)

Stanley Gene faces his old club hinting that he would retire happy should Rovers reach the final

Barrow v Wakefield
(3pm)

The past two occasions Wakefield beat Barrow in the cup, they reached Wembley in 1968 and 1979, albeit losing both times.

Bradford v Catalans
(3pm)

The French side are undefeated in nine league and cup matches.

Dewsbury v Oldham
(3pm)

Oldham have never got as far as Wembley, but lead Dewsbury 7-6 in cup meetings.

Harlequins v Leeds
(3pm)

Brian McDermott, the Harlequins coach, feels his side can upset the cup favourites.

Widnes v Hull
(3pm)

A repeat of the 1982 final that went to a replay. Hull won that year and should avoid an upset.

Monday

Wigan v Whitehaven
(7.30pm)

Held over to ensure pitch is pristine for Wigan Athletic v Manchester United match.