Trio get chance to break into big time with Bradford Bulls (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Trio get chance to break into big time with Bradford Bulls

6:40am Thursday 11th October 2012 in Sport By Ross Heppenstall, Bradford Bulls Reporter

Bulls coach Francis Cummins has backed a trio of youngsters to make their mark at Odsal next year following their promotion into the first-team squad.

Centre Sam Wood, full back Curtis Naughton and back-rower Oliver Roberts have all been handed professional deals with the club.

Eighteen-year-old Wood has penned a two-year contract and Naughton and Roberts, both 17, have signed three-year deals.

They will be training full-time with Cummins’ senior squad and the Bulls boss believes they deserve their chance.

“They’re going to see what being a full-time professional is all about,” said Cummins.

“We want to continue bringing our own youngsters through the system at Bradford and Sam, Curtis and Oliver have shown the talent and desire to be given a chance.

“It’s going to be tough but it’s also an outstanding opportunity for them to try and become Super League players, in the same way the likes of Elliott Whitehead, Tom Olbison and John Bateman did before them.”

Meanwhile, Luke Gale has been named in a 19-man England Knights squad to compete in this autumn’s Alitalia Cup.

The competition will see the Knights travel to take on Ireland in Belfast on Saturday, October 20 before facing Scotland in Edinburgh on Sunday, October 28.

Former Bulls duo George and Luke Burgess have also been included in the squad.

The RFL’s investigation into the circumstances which led Craig Kopczak to terminate his contract with the Bulls is almost complete.

All parties have now been interviewed and a final report into the affair is expected at the start of next week.