Ambitious St Hilaire now ready to take next step

The 43-year-old is currently preparing the squad for Sunday's game at Crusaders in the absence of Steve McNamara who is on England duty ahead of his first match in charge of the international side.

St Hilaire has been on the Odsal staff for four years but has not put himself forward for the head coach role when McNamara departs full-time to the RFL at the end of the season.

However, the former Huddersfield and Castleford loose forward does hope to eventually take on a top job after recently reconsidering his career plans.

"I'd never wanted to be a head coach," admitted St Hilaire.

"It's never been one of my dreams but my goals and focus have changed and I've started to look at things differently.

"I've thought about it for the last 18 months and just decided this year that it is something I need to do.

"I've set myself a two-year plan to get to learn the ins and outs of the role – the man-management of players, behind the scenes with the salary cap and everything else that goes with it – and this week has been a valuable lesson. I'm enjoying it."

St Hilaire has vast experience as an assistant having worked under Tony Smith and then Jon Sharp at Huddersfield before a spell at Wakefield.

He is out of contract this year but is in discussions with Bradford about staying to work with the new head coach, whoever is appointed. Departing St Helens coach Mick Potter, who worked as an assistant at Odsal under Brian Smith in 1996, is emerging as one of the favourites.

However, St Hilaire's immediate task is to gear Bradford up for the trip to Wrexham.

They will be without injured captain Andy Lynch and the suspended Michael Platt to add to long-term injuries Danny Sculthorpe and James Donaldson but prop Nick Scruton has said, if selected today in England's squad to face France on Saturday evening, he will "back-up" and play just 24 hours after the international if needed.

Jamie Langley, Brett Kearney and Matt Orford are all also hoping to be fit.

Huddersfield hooker Shaun Lunt will not play against France and has been released to play at St Helens tomorrow night.

However, he will rejoin the England squad at their Manchester base immediately after the Super League game.

Hull KR are unchanged for their trip to Warrington tomorrow but Hull FC welcome back Shaun Berrigan against Salford following a two-month injury lay-off. Epalahame Lauaki returns to offset the loss of injured prop Mark O'Meley and Tom Briscoe, who is on England duty.

Castleford Tigers' Ryan McGoldrick misses Tuesday's fixture with Catalans after yesterday seeing his appeal against a suspension fail.

Halifax are bidding for a ninth successive victory when they host Championship leaders Featherstone this evening.