Craig Kopczak’s destructive qualities mark him out as one of the most effective props in Super League, but there is far more to his game than merely winning the physical battle.

Since returning from a five-match injury absence at Widnes on Easter Monday, Kopczak has demonstrated his skill with the ball in hand and ability to make telling offloads under severe pressure.

For good measure, he capped formidable displays against Widnes and Doncaster with tries in both games.

“My skill set is definitely something I’ve been working on,” said Kopczak, whose reputation soared after some excellent displays for Wales during the Gillette Four Nations last autumn.

“Mick (Potter) wants us to be modern-day props and has got us working on every attribute of our game.

“I love the ball-playing side of things… if I could be a stand-off I would!

“Unfortunately I’m not, but I’m really enjoying my rugby at the minute and just want to keep it going.”

Kopczak sustained a badly broken finger against Warrington on March 3 but his displays off the bench at Widnes, and Doncaster in the Carnegie Challenge last weekend, provided a welcome reminder of his class.

His impressive form is no coincidence, according to the man himself.

“During my time out injured I put a lot of work in to keep on top of my fitness, so it was good to get out there over Easter, and to score a couple of tries felt great,” said Kopczak.

“I’ve worked hard on and off the field and obviously it’s showing in my performances.”

Bryn Hargreaves and Manase Manuokafoa have excelled as Bradford’s starting props in the absence of Kopczak, with Nick Scruton and Phil Joseph having also succumbed to injury in recent weeks.

“Since I’ve been out, Hargreaves and Manuokafoa have been outstanding and put in a lot of minutes, so it’s good to come back and help them out,” he added.

Last July, the Bulls beat Huddersfield 36-0 in one of the finest performances at Odsal that anyone could remember.

After overcoming St Helens and Leeds in recent weeks on home soil, Potter’s men are not short of self-belief.

“Looking back to last year’s game, it was a great occasion and hopefully we can do something special like that again,” said Kopczak.

“They’ve got a big set of fellas, with the likes of Eorl Crabtree, and are obviously top of the league for a reason, so it’s going to be a really tough game.

“Lee St Hilaire has been working hard with us defensively and it’s showing.

“Hopefully we can continue in that vein and it’s important that we do it against the big teams as well.

“We’ll see what we can do against Huddersfield this weekend.

“In every area of the field they’re a good team and that’s why they’re top, so we’ve just got to be on our game, physically and mentally.

“But you can see the togetherness around the place. Everyone is really tight, and it’s great to be a part of.”

Behind the scenes, the club continue to search for a solution to their financial woes.

Such adversity has strengthened the bond between Mick Potter’s players.

Kopczak reasoned: “You’ve just got to get on with things and concentrate on the rugby. What happens will happen.

“We just get paid to play rugby, so I just think of it as going out there and doing something I love, week in and week out. We need to just keep thinking that way.”