Bulls hooker James Lowes has apologised to coach Brian Noble for storming down the Twickenham tunnel after being substituted during Saturday's bitter Challenge Cup final disappointment.

The influential Bulls forward says he received some harsh words from Noble in a meeting on Monday but now wants to put the matter behind him and concentrate on helping the side to a Grand Final appearance starting against Warrington Wolves at Valley Parade tonight (7.45pm).

Lowes has been widely criticised for his reaction to being replaced by Paul Deacon ten minutes from the end of their 13-6 cup final defeat by St Helens but says: "I thought I was playing really well and that was the most disappointing thing. When I was brought off I couldn't understand why it was happening.

"I am the sort of person who says what I am feeling and I let the bench know what I thought when I came off. My reaction to go down the tunnel was really silly and I shouldn't have done it. But anyone who smiles and laughs when they are taken off at a vital stage of a crucial game, there is something wrong. It is not a matter of me thinking I am bigger than the club. There are some great young kids coming through who will take the senior players' places at some stage and I know I have to keep proving myself on the pitch.

"When we came back in on Monday I had a good chat with Nobbie and I apologised to him and the rest of the coaching staff for the walking down the tunnel business. Nobbie gave me a good bollocking for it, which is what I deserved. Now I just want to get on with the rest of the season.

"Warrington are in good form at the moment and gave St Helens a good hiding and with Tawera Nikau coming back and Gary Mercer going there it gives then a physical edge.

"We made a point at the start of the year that we wanted to win all our home games and this is another big test."

The Bulls will be without back-rower Jamie Peacock for the first time this season tonight as he is suffering from a dead leg but the they will give a debut to Aussie three-quarter Graham Mackay.

The Bulls Academy side romped to a 62-4 win over Warrington at Odsal last night. Outstanding loose forward Jamie Langley and Nicky Johnson both grabbed hat-tricks and there were others for Adam Sullivan (2), Michael Lyons (2), Anthony Henderson, Ben Ellis and Andy Smith, plus five goals from Ben Western.