Clint Greenshields' early sinbinning cost Catalans dear as Bradford marched into the Challenge Cup quarter-finals with a clinical eight-try demolition of last season's beaten finalists.

The Dragons full-back was sent to the bin in the fifth minute for holding down opposite number Michael Platt in Bradford's first meaningful attack and the Bulls made their numerical advantage pay in spectacular fashion.

They ran in four tries during Greenshields' enforced absence as Semi Tadulala quickly broke the French side's resistance to claim the first of his three touchdowns before Sam Burgess and Dave Halley added further scores.

Tadulala then crossed again and with Paul Deacon converting all four tries, the Catalans were 24-0 down when Greenshields walked sheepishly back onto the field in the 15th minute.

It was no way for the 26-year-old Australian to mark his new three-year deal but in truth it looked a harsh decision and he recovered well to claim his side's first try in the 28th minute.

It was not nearly enough, however, and Mick Potter's men shipped a fifth score before the break when Deacon sent Chris Nero clear.

Jamie Langley, Shontayne Hape and Tadulala added three more tries in the second half to seal a comprehensive victory which took the Bulls a step closer to their first Challenge Cup final since 2003, when they defeated arch-rivals Leeds in Cardiff.

It had all begun so promisingly for Catalans as Casey McGuire's astute kicking game pinned the Bulls back and saw the visitors threaten on several occasions.

But, in the fifth minute, Bradford broke strongly down the right flank and after Greenshields was punished for holding down Platt the Bulls worked the ball out wide and Tadulala plunging over in the corner.

Deacon converted superbly from near the touchline and four minutes later a piece of meticulous dummy running from Terry Newton saw the hooker send Burgess charging under the posts from close range.

The Bulls were rampant and in the 12th minute Langley's delicate offload out of a tackle sent Paul Sykes charging down the right flank. He found Halley who raced clear of an undermanned Catalans defence.

Three minutes later - and moments before Greenshields' return - the visitors were punished again when Tadulala collected a loose pass from David Solomona and scampered under the posts.

Greenshields then found the space to waltz through the home defence for a try but immediately after the restart Bradford claimed their sixth score as Langley powered his way over the line from point-blank range.

Seven minutes later Bradford's seventh try arrived as Wayne Godwin's pass sent Hape into the left corner and yet again Deacon added the extras.

To their credit, Catalans came back strongly and a spell of sustained pressure on the hour saw Greenshields send Dimitri Pelo over in the corner for a try which Thomas Bosc converted.

The French side began to dominate the final quarter and Julien Touxagas stepped through a gaping hole in the Bradford defence to claim their third try with 12 minutes remaining and Bosc added the extras.

But in the closing stages Solomona's audacious offload gave Tadulala an easy try for his hat-trick but Deacon could not convert to ruin his 100 per cent goalkicking record.