TRIALISTS Luke Punton, Cobi Green and Sam Smith have joined Bradford Bulls' Academy.

Head of youth coach John Bastian said he was delighted to announce these signings as the trio are all talented and had shown a real commitment during their three-month spell at Odsal.

"All of the players have made it clear that they want a future in professional rugby league and we will support them on their journey," said Bastian.

"They're certainly not scared of hard work, as they've proven in the gym and on the training pitch, and we are looking forward to them developing over the coming years. They have fitted in well with the current under-19s squad."

Bastian added: "Cobi is at Leeds Met, is a junior Welsh international and sent me some footage of him playing in south Wales.

"I liked what I saw on the footage so we had a meeting and a good chat, where I got to know a little more about him as a person and his character.

"He's just been selected for the Welsh Commonwealth nines squad for Australia and we are looking forward to supporting his potential first Grade pathway.

"Luke was part of our scholarship programme 12 months ago and decided to play (rugby union) at Yorkshire Carnegie.

"Since then he has come back on a trial and has now shown a real commitment to play and develop on the rugby league pathway.

"I've watched Sam for a while – both at Queensbury ARLFC and Halifax Elite Academy, where he has made good progress.

"He represented BARLA Yorkshire Under-18s this year and we decided it was time to give him an opportunity at the Bulls, which he has grabbed by impressing the Academy coaching staff.

"We wish them all the very best in our environment and wish to thank the community game and colleges for their terrific support in their development."

Academy trio Evan Hodgson, Reiss Butterworth and Oliver Wilson signed three-year professional contracts last September and Bastian feels this latest threesome can do the same.

"They hold the key to how far they want to go at Bradford and, from what I've seen, they genuinely look like they love rugby league," he said.

"They might not have been on scholarships but it doesn't make a massive difference in terms of experience at Academy level. Hard work will soon allow them to catch up.

"We expect them all to set realistic goals to be part of our first-Grade squad in the future and this should be realistic."