In the latest cross-code partnership the Super League champions Bradford Bulls have unveiled shock plans to take over Wakefield Rugby Union Club.

Shareholders of the National League One club have agreed to hand over control to the Bulls in return for sharing a purpose-built stadium at the re-developed Odsal and a helping hand in their bid to reach the Zurich Premiership.

The radical move mirrors the arrangements at Leeds Rhinos, who share Headingley with sister Premiership club Leeds Tykes, and Wigan Warriors, who recently revealed plans to take National League Two club Orrell back into the big time.

Bulls chairman Chris Caisley, who recently stepped down as chairman of Super League and as a director of the Rugby Football League, will head up a new Wakefield board which will comprise three of his fellow Bradford board members and two current directors of the RU club.

Although Bradford have made no secret of their growing links with rugby union champions Leicester Tigers, Wednesday's startling development will increase anxiety among diehard league fans alarmed by what they see as predatory attacks by the 15-man game.

The Bulls' leading points scorer Henry Paul was the most recent high-profile league player to move to union when he joined Gloucetser last year.

Wednesday's move means that three of rugby league's most influential men - Caisley, Gary Hetherington (Leeds) and Maurice Lindsay (Wigan) - will all be at the head of rugby union clubs.

However, Caisley, who has been critical of rugby league's policies on player development, insists the deal will not be detrimental to the Super League champions but will widen the club's player base and increase their appeal to new investors.

``The deal will be to the substantial benefit of both the Bulls and Wakefield,'' Caisley told a news conference in Bradford.

``We only took this step after satisfying ourselves that we can give our supporters absolute assurance that the future of Bradford Bulls would not be detrimentally affected and, indeed, that the deal brings some actual and potential benefits to our league operations.''

The Bulls are also looking to make greater use of their resources.

They recently received planning permission for a 26,000 all-seater stadium on their old Odsal ground and envisage moving out of their temporary home of Valley Parade some time in 2003.

Caisley added: ``We will need to utilise the new stadium to the fullest extent.

``This deal, therefore, fits into our long-term strategy for what will be the only modern purpose-built rugby league/union stadium in the north of England and the need to get as much use out of and income into the new stadium as possible.

``The last couple of years has illustrated that we can no longer rely purely on rugby league activities to produce further business growth.

``To stand still is not a realistic option for us. We therefore need to diversify whilst at the same time ensuring that we do not stray too far from our core rugby league activity.''

Caisley said the change of ownership needed the blessing of the RFU and that the long-term aim was to secure promotion for Wakefield, currently battling against relegation from National League One, to the Premiership.

``The Bradford Bulls remains as committed as ever to the future of rugby league, although obviously we now wish to do whatever we can to take Wakefield into the rugby union Premiership,'' he said.

``We shall move quickly to legal completion and, assuming a favourable response from the RFU, we will apply our expertise, administration and experience in firstly securing the club's current status.

``The provision of playing resources will be discussed with our coaching and player development staff and accord with their recommendations.''

Caisley said rugby union would continue to be played at Wakefield's College Grove ground below first-team level and that it could also be used by other teams.