Craig Kopczak will miss the start of the Bulls’ pre-season training schedule with a knee injury.

The Wales international prop faces two months out of action after suffering a grade three medial tear in Saturday’s international friendly at Bridgend.

A game that began with Kopczak burrowing through the England defence to give the host nation a shock lead – following a knock-on from Odsal team-mate Paul Sykes – ended prematurely with a freak injury.

Kopczak dropped the ball and, as he tried to stand up, was caught in the ensuing scramble which saw him take a heavy whack on the side of the knee.

Coach Steve McNamara, looking on from the opposing camp as England number two, said: “It’s going to sideline him for about eight weeks. He can do a bit of work but obviously you’ve got to be careful.”

The Bulls are due back to begin dusting off the cobwebs on November 2.

McNamara added: “Pre-season is important for everybody and this is going to curtail him for a period, which is a blow.

“At least he’s not going to be missing any games for us. But it means he will be a bit behind when he is able to come back again.”

Kopczak was a regular in the Bulls squad last season and missed only two Super League games.

McNamara felt the friendly served its purpose as England warm up for Friday night’s Four Nations opener against France.

He said: “There were a few who haven’t played for a long time so the timing was out but we expected that.

“It was more about using the opportunity to get rid of some rust before the Four Nations.

“Certain individuals showed enough there to suggest that when they do bring it together, we’ve got a strong group to pick from.”