Skipper Robbie Paul said today that Bradford Bulls players would not be diverted by signing dual-code contracts with union club Wakefield.

In future, Bulls players can sign a dual-code deal when their current contracts expire.

But Paul said: "The rugby league club will always take precedence.

"One of the main reasons we have had to take over Wakefield is because the Under-21 Alliance competition has been scrapped, and we are now being forced to loan players all over the country - and that includes to Wakefield RUFC.

"The majority of our young players are full-time professionals, and Wakefield are more than happy to get hold of them."

Bulls coach Brian Noble said: "It is a great opportunity for our players to ply their trade at union, and it seems to be the way forward for many league clubs. But our core rugby league players will remain rugby league players.

"The only way they would ever go to union would be at the end of their league careers."

The Bulls took over struggling National League One club Wakefield earlier this year, and Alex Wilkinson, Rob Parker, Nicky Johnson and Paul Sykes have already appeared in their black and gold hoops.