London Broncos star Shaun Edwards has ignited the blue touch paper ahead of the crucial top five clash with the Bulls by launching a stinging attack on Odsal skipper Graeme Bradley.

The high profile pair never hit it off during Edwards' brief stint with the champions and after his departure Bradley described the Great Britain half-back as a "bad apple" and blamed him for the side's poor form this season.

But speaking in an extended interview in September's edition of Open Rugby Edwards hits back by saying: "Bradley's form has been poor but he uses any excuse he can think of that takes the onus away from his performances as captain. He has a go at everyone - players administrators, the rules, the media and the fans.

"He's caused a lot of stirs in the media and brought a lot of negative publicity to the Bradford club."

But Edwards speaks in glowing terms of the Bulls generally.

"The off the field staff are superb, the rest of the players are sound but Bradley did not make me feel welcome from day one."

Edwards' comments are sure to add extra spice to Sunday's tussle at the Stoop which is a make or break encounter for the Broncos.

They must win to stand any real chance of snatching fifth spot from the Bulls who have a four point advantage and a vastly superior scoring difference with just three matches remaining after the weekend.

Edwards enjoyed the upper hand when he keep face-to-face with his old colleagues at the roadshow clash in Edinburgh in July scoring a try as the Broncos won 22-8.

Meanwhile Broncos winger Martin Offiah has been ruled out for the rest of the season.

Offiah, who has not played since May, has been told to use crutches for six weeks to ease the pressure on his injured ankle.

Goalkicking loose forward Terry Matterson, who will end his three-year stint with the Broncos at the end of the season, has also been ruled out.

The League has ruled that Castleford prop Dean Sampson has no case to answer after being put on report during Monday's game at Odsal. GB forward Sampson was pulled out for an alleged high tackle on Bulls second-rower Bernard Dwyer.

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