The Bulls are back in pre-season training, with all players not involved in the Tri-Nations reporting for duty just six weeks after the Grand Final defeat by Leeds Rhinos.

New recruits Ryan Hudson and Andy Lynch joined established first-team stars Joe Vagana, Karl Pratt, Lee Radford, Mick Withers and Paul Deacon on the training pitch as the club sets their sights on recapturing some silverware.

"It's full-time from now on. The work starts now and there is plenty to get through," said assistant coach Steve McNamara.

The presence of Withers and Vagana is especially telling. Although Withers will travel Down Under for Lesley Vainikolo's wedding next Saturday, the club have refused their overseas stars permission for long summer holidays at home in the southern hemisphere.

"I wouldn't say we need to catch up, but we fell at the final hurdle last year and we need to make sure that doesn't happen again," said McNamara.

"We are doing things a bit differently."

Aside from a few days off over Christmas and New Year, the squad will train full-time before heading to Portugal for a week of warm-weather training on January 6, where they will be joined by the club's international contingent.

The first pre-season match will be at Dewsbury on January 16, followed by matches against Hudder-sfield and an opponent yet to be confirmed.

"It is a short off-season but it has to be done," said McNamara. "It will be very tough but it is going to be very enjoyable."