Rugged Bulls prop Craig Kopczak picked up a new skill while in camp with Wales – choir singing!

The 16-stone forward is more used to hitting opponents than high notes but discovered his dulcet tones while on international duty last week.

It came as a big surprise to see Bradford-born and bred Kopczak proudly belting out the Welsh national anthem before tackling England on Friday night.

But the player, who qualifies through Welsh grand- parents, explained: “We all had choir practice in the build-up.

“I didn’t know any Welsh but everyone learned the national anthem and then we had some people come to our hotel to take us through it.

“We got some singing lessons and it was all good for team bonding.

“I don’t know any more of the language though – at the moment!”

Fellow Bradfordian Dave Halley also tested out his voice but he and Kopczak had little to sing about when the action got underway.

Wales crashed to a record 74-0 defeat in Doncaster as ruthless England, including eight players bound for the World Cup, ran riot.

Kopczak admitted: “They were really something.

“I was very impressed by their support play and everything England did was just spot on.

“They showed what great strength in depth they have and I feel their chances in Australia are real good.”

Despite both being aged just 21, and winning only three caps each previously, Kopczak and Halley were two of the most experienced campaigners in an under-strength Wales squad.

But they both fared well and Kopczak said: “As Super League players, John (Dixon) expected us to lead the rest, along with the captain David Mills.

“Hopefully we did that. It was a building exercise for Wales with so many new players and certainly a tough game.

“It was still a fantastic experience though despite the scoreline.

“We knew it was going to be like that but it was nice to see so many Welsh players get their first cap and we’ll have all learned from it.”

While England flew out to Australia on Monday night, Kopczak can finally rest-up after completing his duties for the season.

It has proved a breakthrough year in which the Academy product finally nailed a regular Bulls role.

“It’s been fantastic and I couldn’t have asked for any better,” he said.

“Hopefully I can now take that on into next season. I’ll have a couple of weeks off before training starts up again and I have the option of a couple more.

“But it’s a big pre-season for me so I might not take them. We’ll wait and see.”