Steve McNamara was far too professional to crack into a smile.

But the sight of Craig Kopczak barrelling through to score the opening try in Bridgend – even if it was against McNamara’s England – would have been appreciated deep down by his club boss.

Kopczak does not get too many headlines, so his fleeting moment of glory for Wales on Saturday night was well earned.

Unfortunately, the prop’s game ended prematurely with a knee injury that will hold him back for the next two months and the opening salvoes of pre-season.

But McNamara has no doubts at all that he will soon be back and pushing hard for his place in the Super League XV shakedown.

The Bulls coach knows what he is going to get from Kopczak, a player he sees as one of Odsal’s unsung heroes.

“I think Craig has been a real success story for us,” said McNamara. “So I was pleased for him to score that try.

“He’s come under the radar a bit playing for us. Sam Burgess got a lot of the headlines in the front row, and rightly so, but we appreciate what Craig gives us every week.

“He played all but two games for the Bulls last season, which says a lot. He does a super job for us.

“Craig has had his ups and downs, which was spoken about at the time, but he has continued to progress. It’s great credit to himself that he came back so well from that and we know there’s a whole lot more potential in him.

“We’re looking for him to be right in the mix again next season with the other front-rowers.”

The 22-year-old local lad from Eccleshill, who joined Bulls from Victoria Rangers, was one of the few shining lights from last term’s disappointment. And, memorably, he finally notched his first Super League try at the 34th attempt in the spectacular 34-30 comeback win at Knowsley Road in April.

But the highlight for McNamara was Kopczak’s all-round performance two months later in the 21-10 triumph at Warrington in week 14.

He said: “Sam was away because he was involved in England and Craig really stepped up to the plate in that game.

“This will be another big season for him. He’s going to be under some pressure to earn his place in the Bradford team first and foremost.

“People will sit up and take notice of him now and he will have to handle that. I’m sure he will do.

“Craig should be looking forward to the challenge.”