BULLS are set to continue their pre-season preparations on Sunday, but it's more than just a friendly.

The Rob Burrow fundraising friendly between Leeds Rhinos and Bradford Bulls will be played in front of a sell-out crowd of 20,000 people at Headingley in Leeds (3pm kick-off).

It is a clash to jointly raise funds for good causes linked to Rhinos player Jaime Jones-Buchanan, who will end his own 20-year career at the game and ex-Rhinos and Great Britain star Rob Burrow.

Burrow, 37, was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) just before Christmas.

Jones-Buchanan agreed to share the testimonial match with his good friend Burrow following the announcement of his diagnosis.

Burrow will take to the field for the closing stages along with fellow Leeds Rhinos legends Jones-Buchanan, Kevin Sinfield, Jamie Peacock, Kylie Leuluai and Danny McGuire.

Join our sports reporter Nathan Atkinson for his live blog on the derby clash from 1.45pm on Sunday.

Who is Rob Burrow?

Burrow was diagnosed with motor neurone disease before Christmas.

He played his entire 16-year career for Leeds Rhinos between 2001 and 2017, playing 493 games, scoring 198 tries.

He also played 15 times for England, between 2003 and 2013, scoring 12 tries. He also represented Great Britain five times, scoring four tries, between 2005 and 2007.

He boasts an illustrious list of honours: Super League (won eight times): 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2017; Challenge Cup (2): 2014, 2015; World Club Challenge (3): 2005, 2008, 2012; League Leader's Shield (3): 2004, 2009, 2015.

But he had one high-profile loss to Bulls, as he played in Rhinos' 15-6 defeat to Bradford at the 2005 Super League Final at Old Trafford, Manchester.

What is Motor Neurone Disease (MND)?

MND describes a group of diseases that affect nerves in the brain and spinal cord, called motor neurones, which send messages to the muscles.

As the messages stop reaching them, the muscles gradually weaken and waste away. This affects how a person talks, eats, drinks and breathes.

What are the early signs of MND?

The symptoms of MND can appear gradually and may not be obvious at first.

They can include: weakness in the ankles or legs, slurred speech which can develop into difficulty swallowing, a weak grip, muscle cramps and twitches, swallowing, a weak grip, muscle cramps and twitches, weight loss and shrinking of arm and leg muscles.

Who does the condition affect?

MND is very rare, affecting up to 5,000 adults in the UK at any one time.

It is more likely to occur in those who are over the age of 50, but can affect adults of all ages.

What causes MND?

It is still not clear what causes MND but it is thought a combination of genetic and environmental factors may lead to its development. Research into the disease is ongoing.

Is there a cure?

Not at the moment. The degenerative condition is always fatal and can significantly shorten life expectancy, but a few people do live for decades. Treatments like a feeding tube or mask to help the individual breathe air may be needed as the condition worsens over time.

Others with MND

Former Bradford City captain Stephen Darby has been diagnosed with the disease.

The defender, now 31, played 194 games for The Bantams until he moved to Bolton Wanderers. He retired in September 2018 when he was diagnosed.

A fundraising game between City and Liverpool was held at Valley Parade in aid of his charity, the Darby Rimmer Foundation, which raised more than £275,000.

Other sports stars to be diagnosed with MND include former Scotland rugby union ace Doddie Weir and Glasgow Rangers star Fernando Ricksen, who died aged 43 in September last year.