AS DAN Fleming aims to further establish himself in the Bulls team tomorrow, former team-mate Danny Jones will be in his thoughts.

Fleming played with Jones for Wales and, as Halifax lads, they knew each other locally as well.

A minute's silence will be held at all games this weekend following the tragic death of the Keighley Cougars play-maker last Sunday.

"I played with Danny for Wales and he was a top bloke – an absolutely fantastic bloke," said 22-year-old Fleming ahead of tomorrow's trek to Whitehaven.

"He's left behind two little kids and a wife and it's devastating.

"Danny was playing when I made my debut for Wales against France in 2012 and I was in the World Cup squad with him the following year. He was a right character all the way through; always the centre of attention.

"Danny was at Ovenden as an amateur and I was at King Cross, but being Halifax lads I knew him well. He was just a really good bloke."

The rugby league community has showed remarkable unity this week in rallying around to raise money for Jones' widow Liz and five-month-old twins, Bobby and Phoebe.

Fleming and Halifax prop Luke Ambler are aiming to organise an event to honour the memory of Jones, who died aged just 29.

"The fundraising this week has been unbelievable and this is why you love rugby league," said Fleming.

"It's totally different to football and others sports and, as everyone has been saying, we're one big family. All the money raised isn't going to bring Danny back but if it can help his wife and twins, that's the main thing.

"Luke Ambler and I are going to have a fundraising day and get a few rugby league shirts and have a 'mini-mudder' kind of thing and hopefully raise some money for Danny's family."

Fleming joined the Bulls in the off-season on a two-year deal from Castleford.

After a minor knee clear-out at the end of last term, he came off the bench to make his bow in the demolition of Hunslet in round four.

He has since become a regular in Jimmy Lowes' match-day 17 off the bench and is currently keeping Samir Tahraoui out of the side.

"I'm really enjoying it and it's just good to be back playing after a long pre-season," said Fleming.

"Hopefully I can keep playing well and keep my spot – but there are six fit props now. Karl Davies played at Oxford last weekend and Samir is ready to go as well.

"There is still loads of stuff to work on in attack and defence because if you're not on your game then you're out of the team the following week.

"It works well with all the different kind of props we have. Hame (Lauaki) is a wrecking ball and draws people in, which allows us to get a quick play on the back of that.

"I just need to get some more minutes under my belt and hopefully things can progress from there. I'm loving playing here and the next step is to push for a starting spot. As long as I'm playing, that's the main thing."

Fleming looks certain to feature again tomorrow as the Bulls head to Whitehaven in search of an 11th straight Championship victory.

He said: "If we show up, then we should come away with the points. I've played up there before with Batley and it's a long trip. We did Barrow and Whitehaven in successive weekends and it was awful!

"But it's a nice tight-knit ground; very old-fashioned where the crowd are on top of you. Hopefully we will take another big following and come away with another win."