WALES boss John Kear has backed Dan Fleming to be a big hit for the Bulls next season as he prepares to pick him for the second game running today.

Kear took charge of the Welsh team for the first time when his side lost to Scotland in their European Championship opener at Workington last week.

They need to beat France in Albi today to keep their hopes of glory alive, with the winners of the tournament qualifying for the 2016 Four Nations involving England, Australia and New Zealand.

Former Wakefield coach Kear, who is combining the Wales post with his job at Batley, was already well acquainted with Fleming before they became reunited in the international set-up.

As an ardent Castleford supporter, Kear watched the 22-year-old play at Wheldon Road and took him to Batley, where he impressed on dual registration last year.

"Dan was tremendous for us at Batley and I'm delighted to now have him in the Wales squad," said Kear.

"He has had a long-term injury but I spoke to Jimmy Lowes about Dan and he's been absolutely first-class.

"Jimmy felt, as I did, that if Dan could get some game-time under his belt for Wales then it would assist his pre-season work at Bradford and make him sharper for their Championship campaign next year.

"I need to say thanks to Jimmy because he's been very supportive and I'm sure it will pay off."

Kear, who was linked with the Bulls coaching job when it became vacant earlier this year, saw Fleming's talent at close hand at Mount Pleasant.

"Dan is a Halifax lad but I heard of him as a junior at Castleford and got to know him well at Batley because I was working with him closely," he said.

"He's a big lad, and a tough lad too, and just what you need in a prop forward.

"I'm delighted he has got his move to Bradford and I've no doubts he will get plenty of game-time in the Championship next season.

"It's great to have him on board for Wales because our squad is so different to that which played in the World Cup last year.

"Dan is one of only four players from the World Cup and he's going to be one of the cornerstones of this group as we bid to qualify for the 2017 World Cup, which is a massive carrot.

"I'm not going to pick Jimmy's team for him but I would certainly think he will feature prominently for Bradford in the 17 next season."

Fleming could come up against new Bulls team-mate Jean-Philippe Baile today and Kear is looking for an improvement from his players.

"We had a really good review of the previous performance against Scotland and we've identified areas that we need to tidy up and improve on," he said.

"The players' application has been first class and if they take that onto the field against France then I'll be very satisfied.

"This week will be vastly different to the Scotland game in Cumbria last Friday.

"We played in a howling gale and driving rain and, from the forecasts we've been getting, we'll have no rain this time, 25 degree sunshine and the ground will be very firm."

Meanwhile, Danny Addy is set to feature for Scotland as they aim for a second successive win in this afternoon's match against Ireland in Dublin.