Bradford Bulls Super League title winner Simon Knox puts his new coaching skills to the test in Sunday's Challenge Cup clash at Odsal.

Workington's close season signing is assisting new Town player-coach Andy Platt and despite the size of the task against his old club is relishing the challenge.

"When we beat the amateurs Skirlaugh in the last round we were talking about who we fancied in the next round," explained the 26-year-old back-rower.

"I immediately said we would get the Bulls at Odsal and that is exactly what happened.

"It will be great to go back because I made some great friends there including Jeremy Donougher and Bernard Dwyer and it will be a tremendous learning experience for our younger players.

"We know we have a massive job on our hands and I winced a little when I saw the size of the Bulls win over Wakefield last weekend.

"To stand any sort of a chance we have to be ready to meet the physical challenge Bradford will throw at us early on."

Knox, who is back in his native Cumbria where he began his career with Carlisle before joining the Bulls in 1995, admits he was bitterly disappointed to be shown the door at Odsal at the end of last season.

"I was told pretty early last season that my contract would not be renewed and was allowed to go on-loan to Salford.

"But they had big a clear-out and I was up in the air a little. Then Andy Platt, who was at Salford with me, got the Workington job and asked me if I would go full-time up there.

"The chance to be assistant coach has given me a new challenge and having learned so much from the likes of Brian Smith, Matt Elliott, Brian Noble and Mick Potter at Odsal I feel I have a fair bit to offer.

"We are building for the future and with the amateur talent available and the level of interest around Cumbria we are aiming to make an application to join Super League in 2001."

As well as helping prepare the side this week he has a daunting task on the field too trying to keep Bulls star duo Henry and Robbie Paul quiet.

He explained: "I have been playing at stand-off and should be there again on Sunday because we are still looking to add to the squad.

"I played there a little at Carlisle and on occasions for the Bulls and will be trying to get the runners going out wide at Odsal."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.