Forshaw won't be intimidated

Of much more concern to the evergreen 31-year-old is the physical confrontation awaiting him tonight at The Boulevard.

The Bradford Bulls loose forward only has to think back four months to the Bradford v Hull fixture at Valley Parade to remind him of what might lie in wait tonight.

"That was the most physical game I have played in all season," said the Bulls stalwart.

"It always is one of the hardest of the season against Hull, and being able to bring Paul Anderson off the bench that night really made a difference.

"Hull have a good pack, and Craig Greenhill always seems to show up well in their matches."

Tonight will be Forshaw's 157th match in top-flight domestic club rugby league, and one of the ways he will show his experience is in refusing to be intimidated.

"The Boulevard fans are passionate, but all I worry about is the 13 v 13 confrontation on the field," said the former Great Britain player.

"Some might be put off by the fans, but not me. I just try and get on with the game.

"It won't be as passionate tonight as it will be on September 22, which will probably be our last visit to The Boulevard.

"But one thing is for sure - Hull won't want to lose a third game on the trot so we will have to be at the best of our form to win."

In this swings and roundabout season of injuries, the Bulls are without hooker James Lowes and stand-off or centre Brandon Costin, but they welcome back scrum half Paul Deacon.

Forshaw added: "We will miss James as he steers us around the park and does a lot of organising.

"But it is good that we have Paul back, not only for his tactical kicking but also for his goal-kicking."

With skipper Robbie Paul reverting to hooker in the absence of Lowes, Forshaw is expecting to be in that position at some stage of tonight's match, but he doesn't know when.

"It just depends how things are going," said the former Wigan, Wakefield Trinity and Leeds player. Forshaw filled the hooker's role for Great Britain last autumn.