Brown looking forward to "big test" against Bulls

01/04/2021

Sheffield Eagles loose forward Aaron Brown says he is looking forward to the ‘big test’ against Bradford Bulls this weekend.

The Eagles play Bradford on Sunday in the opening round of the Betfred Championship at the Keepmoat Stadium.

The loose forward said Sheffield took some confidence from their performance against York City Knights, despite being on the wrong side of a 6-36 result.

“On the whole, I didn’t think we were too far away,” he commented.

“There were just a few lapses in concentration for some of their tries.

“The overall effort was there from the boys and like I say it’s just a few minor things that we need to clean up on to get that complete performance.

“I think the scoreline flattered them a bit because I thought we were in the arm wrestle quite a bit."

The former Leeds Rhinos Academy forward will be facing the club he supported as a youngster, when the Bulls were a force to be reckoned with in Super League.

The match will be played behind closed doors once again, as the country remains in lockdown, and Brown admits that the atmosphere will be peculiar without fans in the ground. 

“Growing up, I used to support Bradford in the Robbie Paul, Henry Paul and Lesley Vainikolo days,” he added.

“It’s always good to play them.

“If there were fans there they would’ve brought a good crowd but this time it’s going to be a little bit different with no supporters in there.”

After defeat to York in the Challenge Cup, Brown and his fellow forwards are looking to bounce back at the first time of asking against a strong Bradford pack.

“I’m looking forward to a big test and a tough battle against them,” he said.

“We know it’s going to be a physical encounter.

“They’re a really strong team but we‘re looking forward to the arm wrestle.”

By Lewis Coleman, photo by Alex Coleman