In knocking off St Helens last week the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats announced

themselves as genuine top-six contenders.

One swallow may not make a summer, but Bulls coach Brian Noble wasn't

surprised that the Wildcats took out one of the big boys.

"I don't think we've had a soft game against them in the last three years,"

said Noble.

"They are a tough team and they have a lot of aggression. Their support play

is outstanding and they push into holes for each other. If we let them play they will beat us. It's as simple as that. It's a very good, tough challenge for us."

The Wildcats might not have the resources to compete consistently with the Big Four clubs but only once this season have they conceded 40 points - against the Bulls in round three.

"That's a reflection of how good they are and how well-coached they are," said Noble.

"They scramble really hard for each other in defence. I am not underestimating their threat. It is a real tough game for us."

Following last week's demolition of Castleford, the Wildcats represent a

healthy step up in class ahead of next week's trip to Wigan - the form team

in Super League with victories over St Helens and Leeds to their name over

the last month.

Yet another medium-term injury - this time Paul Johnson's broken arm - will

prevent Noble from fielding a line-up free of major disruption, but it does give him the perfect chance to blood new mega-signing Iestyn Harris.

"It will take Iestyn a while to get up to full speed, but athletically he is

there. He is a fit man. We need to get him in there. We are not going to over-burden him, but he will feature against Wakefield.

"We haven't played the same team in consecutive weeks at all this year but

the pack is looking a lot more stable, which is good news.

"They have been pretty good for three or four weeks now. It started at

Salford when we had some pretty good front-row performances. The back-row

has played well too, which has enabled us to play some good football and score some points.

"The points for and against recently has been a reflection of how dominant we have been."

Second rower Logan Swann missed the trip to Belle Vue earlier in the season

but the Kiwi veteran is expecting the sort of whole-hearted challenge the Bulls have faced all season.

"They are a team that is playing with a lot of confidence and teams like

that have lifted their performance against us all year long," said Swann.

"It's as if they are getting a crack at the world title. These teams are really stepping up to the mark when they play us and with Wakefield that confidence has been there all season. They are supporting well and things are coming off for them so it is going to be a very tough match."

Wildcats coach Shane McNally said his team had blown plenty of chances to

claim some big scalps this year but last week had finally got it right.

"You've got to take the right options at the right time.

"Last week we did that. We made the most of our opportunities and Saints didn't. We are a good enough team to create opportunities - converting them into points is the area that we need to become consistent in."