Champions Bradford Bulls get an early indication of their ability to stay among the big guns in tomorrow's Challenge Cup showdown at Castleford.

Victory over the much-fancied Tigers would not only help them take a significant step on the road to a third successive Wembley appearance but help silence a few doubters who feel their title success was a flash in the pan.

Coach Matthew Elliott is well aware of the importance of the tie but says: "You won't hear me making rash statements. All I will say is that we are well prepared and we will need to be. We will just have to wait and see if that is good enough.

"We were all the rage last season and a lot of it was deserved because as a club we made a lot of correct decisions.

"But to be honest at times some of the attention was a little bit embarrassing.

"During the close season we have done things a little more quietly but we just have to make sure we continue to make the right decisions."

Elliott has named a squad of 18 players which includes Cup ace Shaun Edwards who is bidding for an unprecedented 10th Wembley win.

But definitely out is second-rower Bernard Dwyer who has only managed 16 minutes rugby so far after close season groin surgery. However, Sonny Nickle is back after missing the fourth round tie at Rochdale.

"The players know the side but I won't be making it public until tomorrow. I might just have something up my sleeve!"

Paul Medley is the man to stand down from those on duty at Spotland.

Tigers boss Stuart Raper is not placing too much store by his side's 25-12 Premiership success at Odsal in September.

He makes just one change to the starting line-up with Richard Russell back at hooker after a knee injury in place of youngster Danny Orr.

Tickets will be available to Odsal between 9.00am and noon tomorrow for those wishing to avoid congestion at the turnstiles but ground admission can be obtained on the day.

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