The Bulls’ big men are ready to go from strength to strength.

Forward power has been crucial in back-to-back wins and Mick Potter has tipped his pack to keep pulling their weight, despite a shortage in numbers.

Bradford go into Sunday’s game against St Helens with just three recognised props after Bryn Hargreaves was ruled out of action for three weeks with a training-ground ankle injury.

Nick Scruton needs another week to recover from a dislocated wrist, while sixth-choice prop Steve Crossley has a knee injury.

But Potter is confident their fellow forwards can pick up the slack.

Hargreaves also missed last week’s win at Harlequins but Jamie Langley, Olivier Elima and James Donaldson all filled in down the middle.

“Jamie Langley and Olivier Elima were fantastic,” said Potter. “Then James Donaldson did 30-odd tackles, as did Lynchy.

“Lynchy did an awful lot of work, carrying the ball 16 or 17 times, and our middle really stood up given that we’d lost Bryn Hargreaves midweek through injury.

“We had to rotate those big people through that middle. Tom Burgess probably played 15 minutes more than he normally plays in that heat.

“I’m not sure anyone noticed but he vomited on the pitch. It makes you dehydrated but he still played on and came back on later to help us out.

“We’re in the same situation this week, so we’ll probably have to use Langers there more and Olivier Elima, which is not ideal but that’s the way it is at the moment.”

Effort in the middle was key to an outstanding defensive display in London.

Despite spending long spells without the ball, Bradford kept Quins to 16 points, including just four in a tough first half.

It is an impressive transformation for a team that has conceded 30 points or more on nine occasions this year.

Potter said: “To keep them to four points in the first half with the amount of times they were on our try-line was good.

“The try we did concede was preventable. It was just one lack of communication with one player that cost us four points and we can do better than that, which is pleasing.

“We defended very well in that first and it’s pleasing for the club that we’re getting that trust and confidence.

“Unless a scoreline’s nil you can always do better. But it was just one small piece of talk that happened at a certain time and place.

“You need to make sure you control the ruck to make account for all the numbers on one side of the ruck.

“Apart from that, we’re getting better and we’re gaining confidence from our communication and work ethic.”

Saints arrive at Odsal with a question mark over the fitness of hooker James Roby, a strong Man of Steel contender based on recent form.

The Merseyside club were due to have six players involved in tonight’s International Origin match - three for England and three for the Exiles - but, having coached most of those players for two years, Potter knows performance levels will not drop.

“Having known all those players, I don’t think it will play too much of a part,” said the former St Helens chief.

“Just at the back end of halves they might be a little bit tired, depending on how much game-time they play in the Exiles match and how much game-time they play in our match.

“If James Roby’s okay to play, then that’s fine but I wouldn’t want to risk one of my best players if they were injured.

“I’m sure the medical staff will know whether he can suffer any further injury and they’ll make the right decision for him. I certainly wouldn’t risk one of my best players if there was a doubt though.

“Roby would play with a broken leg. He’s a phenomenal athlete and great for their club.”