MICHAEL LAWRENCE INTERVIEW

Michael Lawrence believes there is still more to come from the Bradford Bulls in 2024 – as he and his team-mates prepare for Sunday’s play off semi-final clash at Toulouse Olympique.

Eamon O’Carroll’s side booked a semi-final berth with a 25-12 win over Featherstone Rovers last time out, which was a 6^th win in our last 7 games. 

Two late tries put an end to a stretch that saw the Bulls not concede a try for nearly 3 hours, with the skipper praising his side’s defensive efforts. 

The Bulls have won once and drawn once in the two meetings against Sylvain Houles’ side so far this season and Lawrence insists sticking to the process and nailing the one percenters will go a long way to booking a spot in the play-off final next weekend. 

“Sunday is a massive test, they are a very good side, well drilled, with threats all over so we will need to be good like we were against Featherstone, we have to do what we did well and go up a notch,” said Lawrence, who is sponsored by EM Workwear & Embroidery. 

“Although we were very good, there are still areas we can be better and it shows how far we’ve come to be frustrated with the 12 points we conceded. To get a result in the manner we did at home was very pleasing, we go to Toulouse now full of confidence trying to put ourselves into the grand final. 

“I’m a big believer that defence and small one percenters win games, you will score points but you have to build on the back of your defence. If we back up what we did in terms of defence and effort, and if we sharpen up on the chances we create, it will go a long way to putting ourselves in the grand final. 

“I always say to the boys you win the game early by doing the tough stuff then score the points later on in the half, teams struggle to get out of their own end when we defend tough. What was very pleasing was a lot of stuff what we practiced had come off on the bigger stage, we just want to build on that and go again next week. 

“In these games you have to trust in the processes, stay disciplined, we stuck to the plan really well against Featherstone and it shows when we are all doing the same thing we are very difficult to stop. 

“We haven’t played Toulouse with a full strength side but we are there or thereabouts now, they will be dealing with a different beast, we are full of confidence, we are going for a battle and going to get the win.”