PAUL Clough believes the arrival of Epalahame Lauaki will keep the rest of the Bulls’ props on their toes as competition for places hots up.

Imposing former Hull FC and Wigan front-rower Lauaki is not scheduled to arrive from Australia until early next month.

But, having played against him on several occasions, Clough is well aware of what the hulking Tongan will bring to Jimmy Lowes’ squad.

“Lauaki is a real handful and I remember playing against him when he was at Hull FC,” said Clough.

“He is very powerful and I think he was playing in the back row back then.

“When he moved to Wigan he went to the front row and that’s another asset that he brings – his versatility and ability to play in different positions.

“I’m sure Jimmy will use his best attributes and hopefully he will go well for us. I’m confident that he will.”

With 30-year-old Lauaki set to complement a roster of props which includes Clough, Samir Tahraoui, Karl Davies, Adam Sidlow, Dan Fleming and Sam Bates, Lowes is not short of options up front.

Clough added: “We’ve got a lot of competition for places and that’s a good thing because it brings out the best in people.

“We’ve got Lauaki still to join the squad and that’s going to strengthen us further.

“Last year the club only had one or two front-rowers and, it was not that people got complacent, but it breeds that sort of attitude in some ways.

“Hopefully this year, with the squad that we’ve got, everyone will be ripping in, the best team will play and the results will follow.”