EBON Scurr gained a fearsome reputation last year as being a game-changer off the interchange bench for Bulls, but does he have it in him to lock down a regular starting place?

Bradford head coach John Kear has a few props at his disposal, and though skipper Steve Crossley is likely to be a guaranteed starter in there, that other spot in that position in the starting 13 might be up for grabs.

Scurr, who was garnering interest from Super League clubs last season before he signed a new two-year deal in November, started last Sunday's friendly against Hull, and would surely love to be in from the off against Bulls' great rivals Leeds tomorrow.

But a coy Kear said: "Ebon we looked at, as we have all the lads who've played so far.

"We had a completely different eight, nine and 10 for Hull than we did for Batley, and the forward pack changed completely, except for AJ Wallace in the second row.

"Doing that offers an opportunity for different players, and allows us to test the team for round one (of the Championship), in the correct order.

"There are lots of reasons behind who we're picking for each game."

Asked if it was a feather in Wallace's cap for him to have started both of those games, Kear said: "He deserved to start both.

"Obviously part of that is we're getting used to him as a new player of ours, but I don't think any apologies are needed for giving him two starts.

"He's earning my trust and respect with how he's done for us so far."

As for the visit of their great West Yorkshire rivals tomorrow, Kear said: "We're excited, and we want to play well.

"But given it's a trial game, it's still process-led and we have key performance indicators we want to hit and build upon.

"Should we win, obviously I'd still be delighted."

Hull's team was largely made up of youngsters last Sunday, but Kear insisted it was irrelevant who Leeds bring to Odsal in terms of personnel.

He said: "We've prepared as if Leeds are bringing a really good team.

"But I'm not bothered, as in trials it's not about the opposition, it's about how your own team fares and how you achieve what you're after.

"We're being very self-centred for now, but once points are introduced and the league season starts, we'll be taking an in-depth look at how the opposition set up."