Bradford Bulls - Bulls Eye

In this, the first Bulls Eye of the season, Brian Noble and Paul Johnson look ahead to Friday's opening Tetley's Super League encounter when last season's grand finalists, Bradford Bulls and Wigan Warriors clash at Odsal.

BRIAN NOBLE:

IT?S THE START OF THE SEASON AND YOU WILL HAVE TO PUT LAST WEEK?S GAME BEHIND YOU.

It meant a lot to us last week but we realise it will count for nothing in relation to this game. It is a new competition and we have to start well and get the two points that are on offer. We have a difficult challenge, make no mistake it is as tough as last week and we have to start well and play well.

There is much being talked about Wigan?s injuries but I don?t focus on that. We don?t use injuries as an excuse and neither will Wigan. We can only play what side they put out against us but if we are thinking they are weak, then they will embarrass us.

IT?S A BIG GAME FOR ONE OF YOU NEW RECRUITS,

I think he will be the first to reflect that he wants a big game and that he wants to play well on the night. He has settled in very well and he will prove a very big asset for us in his time here.

PAUL JOHNSON:

IT?S A VERY BIG GAME FOR YOU THIS WEEK.

I am really looking forward to seeing the lads again and I hope to play well but I am totally focused on the job I have to do for Bradford. Wigan have a few injuries but they did last year and they went OK. They have some quality and depth to their squad and they will have done their homework on us. They will want to get their revenge for what happened in the Grand Final.

It will be a bit strange for me this week. It was a bit odd watching the video of them this week and seeing myself running around in a Wigan shirt when I am looking at ways to beat them! I am looking forward to playing against them and I couldn?t have asked for a better start than last week. It?s fantastic place to be and I am delighted with the move.

TEAM NEWS:

Bulls will be without Logan Swann, who has a slight knee strain. Jamie Langley starts the game with Toa Kohe ? Love coming onto the bench for his debut. Chris Bridge is 18th man.

Squad: Withers, Vaikona, Johnson, Hape, Vainikolo, Pryce, Pratt, Fielden, Vagana Anderson, Parker, Smith, Peacock, Radford, Langley, Reardon, Kohe ? Love, Bridge

MILESTONES:

JOE VAGANA will make his 100th appearance for the Bulls tonight. Since arriving at Bradford he has been virtually ever present in the side missing only 4 game in that period. He played missed only one game in 2001, played in all 32 games in 2002 and last season he played in 32 out of a possible 35 games.

LEON PRYCE needs 8 points for a total of 300 for the Bulls. He has scored 73 tries in his 146 games for the club he joined as a 16 year old

LEE RADFORD needs 4 points for 100 for the Bulls

MICHAEL WITHERS has now scored a total of 400 points. He has scored 94 tries, 11 goals and 2 Drop Goals in 115 appearances in the British game.

BULLS EYE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE MEDIA DEPARTMENT OF BRADFORD BULLS RUGBY LEAGUE CLUB.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT STUART DUFFY OR SIMON COLLINSON ON 01274 762315