Bulls legend and former England rugby union international Henry Paul has joined Bradford & Bingley.

The 38-year-old former New Zealand rugby league player, whose last game of union was when Leeds Carnegie secured their Premiership status at the end of the 2009-10 season, will become an assistant coach at Wagon Lane.

However, the six-time capped England union centre isn’t hanging up his boots and said: “I will play if I am needed”, although that will have to fit in with his commitments to Russia, where he was assistant coach for the 15-a-side in the 2011 Churchill Cup and World Cup and was appointed at the start of this year to coach their sevens squad.

Paul, who knows both Phil Greaves and James Phillips at the Bees and has been talking to club chairman Peter Rae and his elder brother Tony, who is president, added: “I played 20 minutes against Bath three seasons ago when Leeds stayed up.

“I have played in a couple of veterans tens tournaments since. I am not the player that I used to be but I will play if the lads need me."

Paul, who broke the Bulls' goals (179) and points (401) record for a season in 2000, said: “I went to last Thursday’s training session and watched Saturday’s game against Burnage, which was a good contest.

“If I can help some of the players to progress - it is easier persuading the younger players to change than the older ones - then so much the better.”