The Bulls had been written off as a club in turmoil after a home defeat to Harlequins at the start of last month, the race to the Grand Final a distant dream and speculation abounding regarding McNamara's future as coach.

But with pressure of expectation off, plus a healthier squad, four successive wins have catapulted Bradford into the four-club scramble for the eighth and final play-off spot.

Victory tomorrow evening at Hull, coupled with Catalans Dragons losing at St Helens, would see Bradford snatch the final berth and a play-off with either Wigan or Wakefield.

Yet McNamara is sticking to the mantra which has been so successful over the last six weeks – preaching it is just another game and their play-off hopes are out of their hands – in trying to protect his players from outside pressure.

"There is certainly no extra pressure on us because we are just looking forward to going to a great stadium and playing some good rugby league," said McNamara.

"Once you start to play with less anxiety, as they did a few weeks ago, then the performances improve and confidence comes.

"It's certainly as big a game as the last few have been for us when we made a commitment to finish in the best possible form and we have managed that and put ourselves in a reasonable position.

"As I have said before, we have not been too far off all year. We have just had a few things fall into place for us in the last few weeks and once the play-offs were out of our hands we just decided to do what we are good at, play with a smile on our faces and see what happens.

"We have gone some way to doing that and we have another opportunity this week."

McNamara will refuse to let what is happening at Saints interfere with the Bulls' game plan tomorrow. A shock win for Catalans would render the KC Stadium meeting meaningless in terms of the play-offs.

Asked if he would have one eye on the Catalans game, he responded: "Only if we win our game. If we don't win it's not an issue and we don't want to be distracted from what we need to do. We are going to the KC to perform well and perform well for 80 minutes and we aren't going to be distracted by what's happening in any other games.

"The players have been positive throughout the season and they are aware that it's out of our hands. They are just happy they have been winning some games and they are walking around with a smile on their faces. We have not been in this situation, as a club – needing to win our last game to have a chance of qualifying – and it's a good, new experience for us.

"I am sure the players are aware of the importance of the game but it's not something we have discussed."

Huddersfield Giants yesterday released six players from their 2009 squad.

Liam Fulton, Paul Jackson, Richard Lopag, Joe Walsh, Tom Hemingway and Chris Lawson have all been released, with Scott Moore set to return to
St Helens following the expiry of his loan spell and Michael Korkidas to remain at the Wildcats in 2010 on a season-long loan.

Giants managing director Richard Thewlis paid tribute to the outgoing players.

"Liam was always a short-term option for us after the Todd Carney deal fell away and he has been great to have around the team but he has unfulfilled ambitions in the NRL to pursue.

"Jacko has been a tremendous player for our club. I guess it's highly likely that both these regulars will feature on Sunday against Wigan and I hope that our supporters give them the send-off they both deserve and by making these announcements now it does give both lads the opportunity to receive the fans' plaudits."

Teenage forward Jay Pitts could make his debut for Leeds Rhinos tomorrow night at Salford – and end up lifting the League Leaders Shield.

The 19-year-old joined the Rhinos back in July from Wakefield and has been drafted in with Jamie Jones-Buchanan suspended.

Victory for Leeds tomorrow would see them finish top of Super League.


What needs to happen for Bulls to make play-offs

Four clubs are chasing the eighth and final play-off spot in Super League. Here are the three permutations:

Catalans Dragons are in the driving seat. If they beat St Helens tomorrow they will keep their current eighth spot, no matter how other results go.

If Catalans lose, then Bradford Bulls can leapfrog them by winning away at Hull tomorrow. Even a draw would be enough for Bradford, as they have a superior points difference.

If both Catalans and Bradford lose, then it becomes a winner-takes-all situtation when Warrington host Harlequins on Sunday afternoon.