James Lowes will take on his old coach Brian Smith on Saturday

Two old friends will come face-to-face in Saturday's massive Million Pound Game between Wakefield and Bradford at Belle Vue on Saturday.

After 18 seasons in the top division, hosts Wakefield will be out of Super League by Saturday evening if they are defeated.

And their opponents Bradford, three times the World Champion club, are desperate for an immediate return to the top tier of the sport.

To add extra spice, Bradford's coach James Lowes knows his Wakefield counterpart Brian Smith very well, having played under him at the Bulls earlier in his career.

Lowes is a big fan of Smith and told Sky Sports: "He is a great coach, fantastic bloke as well.

"He has two sides to him; a coaching side, when you are on the field or in the classroom with him, but a completely different side when you are away from all that.

"I was lucky enough to work with him in 2010 as well, when he was one of the coaches on an England tour to Australia and New Zealand.

"Just listening and being around him was a fantastic experience. I have a lot of respect for him."

The feeling of respect is mutual and Smith says he is not at all surprised that his former charge is now plotting the downfall of his team.

"You have to have some sort of masochistic streak to begin or stick at being a coach!" said Smith.

"Jimmy's knowledge of the game and general awareness of what it took was evident, that is for sure, even when he was in the early part of his career."

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Saturday's game will also be bittersweet for Wakefield prop Nick Scruton, who left Bradford to join the Wildcats last year.

"I have got friends there and there is a bit of sentiment in the game for me," said Scruton.

"But if it comes between having a job next year or not, it is a no-brainer. I will be doing my best for Wakefield."

You can see Wakefield v Bradford battle for a place in the Super League on Sky Sports 1 HD from 2.45pm on Saturday.