Saturday 31st July 10

Bradford Bulls may have just set an unwanted club record but caretaker coach Lee St Hilaire has told his players they are good enough to beat the Catalans Dragons tomorrow.

Last weekend’s 49-24 defeat at Hull KR was the four-time Engage Super League champions’ 10th-straight loss - a record sequence since the club reformed as Bradford Northern 46 years ago.

The Bulls remain in with a chance of making the play-offs, though, with them, Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, Castleford Tigers and Crusaders RL all competing for the last place in the top eight.

And St Hilaire, who is handling Bradford’s first-team affairs until Mick Potter takes over at the end of the season, believes they can pick their form up against the Carnegie Challenge Cup semi-finalists.

He said: “Everyone is disappointed with the way things have gone. They are, though, still enthusiastic and well aware of the challenges that await them and we know we are making strides but not getting the results.

“We are looking after our own ship and we know we need to get the result this week.

“We know we are coming up against a very good side in Catalans and we are aware that we have to do the little things right, takes the chances when they come and be a whole lot smarter.”

Castleford will hope to put last weekend’s defeat to the Crusaders behind them when they face Hull KR at Craven Park.

The Tigers were beaten 24–20 by the Robins earlier in the season in a game coach Terry Matterson believes they should have won.

“Rovers have been in good form and are always a hard team to beat at Craven Park,” he said.

“We thought that we had done enough to win the game at the Jungle but lost in the late stages, so that should be another factor for the boys to push a little harder.”

Veteran centre Willie Talau is back in the Salford City Reds squad for their game in Wales with the Crusaders after a five-game absence through injury.

Coach Shaun McRae is happy to welcome the 34-year-old back into his side too, believing he can bring the best out of England hopeful Jodie Broughton, who has four tries from his last three games.

“He (Talau) is very keen to play in our remaining games this season,” said McRae. “Young Jodie Broughton has certainly has a good mentor in Willie. He has helped and encouraged him enormously.”

Wakefield coach John Kear’s hopes of his side getting back on the winning trail at Huddersfield Giants have been dealt a blow by injuries to a number of their key players.

Paul Cooke (ankle), Paul King (ankle) and Sam Obst (knee) are all out, meaning Kear, who saw his side concede 90 points in their last two games, will have to call on youngsters James Davey, Matty Wildie, Ben Gledhill and Keiran Hyde.

“Cometh the hour, cometh the youngsters,” Kear said. “These young players are all part of our Super League squad at Belle Vue and I have every confidence that they will acquit themselves well at the Giants.”

Huddersfield hooker Brad Drew will make his 100th appearance for the Giants against his former club and coach Nathan Brown knows how valuable the 34-year-old is.

He said: “Drewy is an experienced player and to have him fit and available for selection helps us in terms of numbers.

“It’s good to put pressure on players to do well in different positions and when he is on the field he generally contributes.”