JOHN Kear sees the inclusion of two Bulls youngsters in the England academy national performance squad as further proof of the continuing strength of the club’s youth system.

Rowan Milnes and Olly Wilson both trained with Dave Elliott’s 27-man squad at Odsal last week – the first of several practice sessions planned ahead of four Test matches in the autumn.

Milnes has had a taste of senior action this season and Wilson, who signed a three-year deal at the end of last term, is pushing for his first chance.

With two players called up despite their League One status, Kear feels it is another feather in the cap for the Bulls academy.

The Odsal coach said: “It’s massive for everybody concerned. It just shows what a good job our youth development people are doing, not just in identifying talent but also developing it.

“Obviously to get two people in, we’re ranking up there alongside Leeds, Wigan and St Helens and ultimately that’s where we want to be on the first-team playing level as well.

“Bradford is renowned for a really good academy and youth system and it certainly hasn’t deviated. Again that’s credit to Andrew Chalmers, who has invested heavily in that part of the club.

“I like what I see in a lot of these young players. Brandon Pickersgill has come through and done really well, Vila Halafihi is another, Evan Hodgson as well as Rowan Milnes and Olly Wilson.

“There are lots of players who really are putting their hand up. But obviously there are only 17 team shirts you can hand out at a weekend.”

Former Bull Jamie Langley and York City Knights head coach James Ford are assisting Elliott with the performance squad, that will be whittled down ahead for the games at the end of the season.

Odsal will host the opening Test against France on Wednesday, October 17 as well as the first Yorkshire v Lancashire “Origin” game on Saturday, July 28.

Paul Anderson will coach the white rose academy side along with Luke Robinson.