Mirroring the feeling that washed over them before last season's Grand Final, Paul Deacon says the Bulls are confident, but not over confident about winning next Friday's World Club Challenge.

The Great Britain scrum half said of the match against the Newcastle Knights at the McAlpine Stadium: "There is an air of confidence in the squad.

"We are not walking about like we are superstars or anything like that, and we won't get too over-excited either."

Added Deacon, who started for Great Britain in the decisive third and final Ashes Test against Australia in November: "The Bulls peaked at the right time last season.

"The Grand Final win over Wigan was our best performance of the whole campaign, so hopefully we can take a step up again next weekend. Mind you, we want to play like that every game we play!"

Since signing from Oldham Bears after the 1997 season, the England vice-captain has made 101 appearances for the Bulls, but 45 of those have been as a substitute.

It is well known that some players are held back for the impact they can make coming off the bench, but the desire of the 5ft 8in half-back to seal a starting berth with the Tetley's Super League champions is well known.

And Bulls coach Brian Noble has often spoken of his admiration for Deacon, who is 23 on February 13.

However, the Great Britain assistant coach never gives too much away when it comes to his Bulls' team selection.

All he would say about his 17 to face the Knights or his choices for the Super League season after that was: "I don't pick the team. The players pick the team by their performances."

As for his choices at scrum half, he says: "We have three options there, and I am highly delighted, and as for half-backs we have five world-class choices, and I include Jimmy Lowes in that equation."

Deacon had to play second fiddle behind Robbie Paul at scrum half last season and behind stand-off Henry Paul in the goal-kicking stakes.

However, Noble revealed: "Paul Deacon is an excellent goal-kicker, though Michael Withers and Brandon Costin can kick goals too. But Paul will be first choice, although a player won't gain his place in the side on goal-kicking alone. He will have to bring other things to the party too."

Noble also wants utility back Leon Pryce to become more involved in the action.

"I want to move Leon infield. He is world-class in that he can beat people of both feet, and there aren't too many players who can do that nowadays," said the Bulls coach. "But he will play the majority of his football closer to the action this season."

Noble added: "I have an idea of my 17 to face Newcastle, and I will probably tell the players of an 18 or 19-man squad on Monday. Then I will cut it down to 17 next Thursday morning.

"This is the start of a long and arduous season for us. We begin with a big game and we want to win it. We have been away for a week in La Manga, but the Knights are undercooked and so are we. It will be interesting."