Rising Bradford Bulls stars Paul Deacon and Leon Pryce have been pencilled in to form an exciting new half-back partnership in the absence of the Paul brothers against London Broncos on Good Friday.

And to help to set them on their way they have been named in the Under-21 side to face Salford in the Alliance League at Odsal tonight (7.30pm).

Henry and Robbie Paul have been in dazzling form in the eight-match winning start to the season but are absent for the Easter fixture with the Broncos as they are on duty for New Zealand against Australia in Sydney on the same day.

Pryce missed the win over Castleford as a precaution after damaging a shoulder against Huddersfield-Sheffield Giants while Deacon has played the last two Alliance game as he continues to fight his way back from a broken foot.

Now Elliott has earmarked the duo for half-back positions against the Broncos and says: "I know the first team squad will have every confidence in them to come in for that game but I just think it will benefit them both to have a run together tonight.

"Everyone knows about Leon's ability and it will be great to have Paul back."

Veteran second-rower Bernard Dwyer also gets a run tonight as he bids to launch a late bid for a place in the side to face Leeds in the Challenge Cup final at Murrayfield on Saturday, April 29.

Fellow back-rower Hudson Smith, who was in Alliance action last week in order to give him more game time after a number of substitute appearances with the senior squad, is in line for a first team recall against his former club.

The Bulls have been inundated with requests for coach travel to the Cup final.

The marketing department at Odsal has already taken bookings for 48 coaches ahead of the big day.

Bookings are still being taken for the trip. Prices are £25 with no concessions. Coaches depart from Midland Road near Valley Parade at 6.15am on the day of the game and return at approximately 11pm.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.