BULLS head coach Jimmy Lowes remains keen to strengthen his squad ahead of the new Championship season.

It is understood that trialist Rhys Jacks has been told he will not be offered a contract at Odsal for the 2016 season.

The Australian scrum half played in both pre-season friendlies against Leeds and Castleford and showed some promising touches.

But he will not be part of Lowes' squad going forward – and it remains to be seen if fellow trialist Dan Caprice will be handed a deal after he came off the bench against Castleford on Friday.

Lowes said: "I believe we're stronger in certain positions than last year.

"I think we're probably still a couple of positions light but we're still working hard to pick up the right people."

Leigh, who lost just once in the regular season before collapsing in the Super 8s Qualifiers, are once more clear favourites to top the table after recruiting a host of big names – including Rangi Chase and Harrison Hansen from Salford.

The Centurions suffered a blow last week with the resignation of coach Paul Rowley but he has been succeeded by Neil Jukes and Lowes says they will still be the team to beat.

The Bulls boss said: "They will have had a couple of weeks to get over that. I'm sure the players, with their experience, will guide the team.

"It will be a tough competition, with Leigh the side that everybody wants to beat."

Meanwhile, Lowes says he is keen to remain on the England coaching staff as the Rugby Football League prepare to finalise their review, with the likelihood that Australian Wayne Bennett will replace Steve McNamara as head coach.

"It was good to get back last year, I missed it," said Lowes, who was recalled as McNamara's assistant for the series win over New Zealand.

"At the moment, there's nothing been confirmed so there's nothing really to comment on. When any sort of news breaks, we'll see what happens on the back of that."

* Castleford winger Ash Robson will be sidelined for the next eight months after suffering a dislocated knee during his side's pre-season friendly against the Bulls last Friday.