SAMIR Tahraoui admits he has found life at the Bulls a "massive step up" from being a part-time rugby player but is confident of challenging for a place in Jimmy Lowes' team.

The towering prop has arrived from Championship outfit Whitehaven, where he combined his playing commitments with academic studies at the University of Salford.

Algeria-born Tahraoui graduated earlier this year with a 2:1 degree in sports science and said he had found training on a daily basis very demanding physically.

"Pre-season has been extremely demanding and a massive step up from training two nights a week as I have done previously," he said.

"You're in early every day for a good three or four hours and it's really taxing – but it'll prove very beneficial come the start of the season.

"You can only get so fit from training twice a week and, while you can train in your own time as well, to get 'rugby fit' you need to be training with the rest of the lads in this kind of environment.

"I did initially find the first week difficult, as I think anyone would coming into a full-time environment for the first time. But as the weeks progress, I believe I'm stepping up to everyone else's level.

"When the season comes around, I'm confident I'll be up there with the top guys at the club.

"The conditioning will pay off and I think the plan is to go into the season and physically dominate all the other teams by being the fittest side in the Championship. The way it's going, we can definitely achieve that."

It is understood the Bulls remain on the look-out for another prop to add to their squad following Mark Offerdahl's aborted move to Odsal.

Tahraoui is encouraged by the different style of front-rowers currently in the Bulls' squad and said: "There is a good blend of youth and experience.

"Paul Clough has played a few hundred Super League games, Adam Sidlow is very experienced too, and you've got younger lads like Karl Davies, Dan Fleming and myself.

"I think each front-rower brings something different to the table, which is good.

"From a personal perspective, being a full-time rugby player is a dream come true. Training with your mates every day and getting paid for it – what more could you ask for?"

Meanwhile, Jordan Baldwinson and Mason Tonks will face the Bulls next season after joining Featherstone on one-year loan deals for next year.

The Leeds duo spent the majority of 2014 at Odsal following their return from New Zealand Warriors.

Fellow Rhinos youngsters Thomas Minns and Alex Foster will spend next term at Post Office Road – with all four players still under contract at Headingley until the end of 2016.

Featherstone coach Andy Hay said: "Having spoken to all four of the boys, they are fully committed to everything we will be doing next year and are prepared to give their all in a Rovers shirt, in what will be a tough Championship competition."