Assistant coach Lee St Hilaire is confident the Bulls won’t miss a beat in Steve McNamara’s absence.

England coaching duties mean Bradford’s boss has been forced to step back from day-to-day involvement at Odsal this week while preparing the national team for Saturday’s Test against France.

McNamara will be back in the fold for the Bulls’ trip to Crusaders the following day and remains involved in team selection and tactics, but is relying on his number two to take charge of the build-up.

St Hilaire said: “It’s a challenge for me but I’ve been coaching for long enough to just carry on doing what I’ve been doing.

“It’s been a really smooth transition because I’ve been working alongside Steve since 2006 and we’ve got some high-calibre players here, so that helps.

“If I’m honest, it doesn’t make that big a difference when you’ve been working together for this long.

“We’re different types of coaches and we both have a different slant on the way we coach but the boys have just got on with it and the senior blokes have had a positive contribution.

“There is a recognised group of senior players who contribute every week. When you’ve got players like Steve Menzies and Andy Lynch in your squad, it’s important to listen to them and bounce ideas off them.”

McNamara was appointed England coach in April, initially on a part-time basis before taking the reins full-time at the end of Bradford’s Super League season.

But while St Hilaire is happy to fill in temporarily, he ruled himself out of the running to become a permanent replacement.

Eventually, the 44-year-old is keen to become a head coach but, for now, he is merely happy to keep building experience.

He said: “It’s a good stepping stone. I’ve enjoyed the week so far and it just gives me a little more insight to what the head coach’s role is about.

“The coaching side of it isn’t a problem, it’s a lot of the other behind the scenes aspects that I need work on.

“I’m doing what I would normally be doing but with a few added responsibilities, although some of the boys have joked that I’m already getting Steve’s office measured up for my new desk.”

The current week is crucial for the Bulls too, following a disappointing 52-6 defeat to Huddersfield.

Suffering from injuries to several key players and struggling with the after-effects of a mentally exhausting Challenge Cup tie against Warrington, they provided an entirely uncharacteristic display, yet belief has not been damaged.

“We’re not a bad side but how we played against Huddersfield wasn’t acceptable at all,” said St Hilaire.

“It’s not dented confidence or belief within the group but I’ll be honest, it was a tough one to take, especially for me. I spent 22 years at Huddersfield as both a player and a coach so it was hard.

“It was just one of those bad days at the office and we’re confident we can bounce straight back.

“The players have been bright-eyed and bushy-tailed and are determined to provide a response.”