THE Bulls feel “refreshed” to be focusing just on rugby again, says John Kear.

As the squad begin their fourth week of pre-season training at Tong, the veteran coach can sense a more positive atmosphere around the club.

Kear reckons they have been able to put the off-field uncertainty behind them to concentrate on building up for the 2020 campaign.

He said: “That’s been refreshing for us all, the coaches and the players. All we’ve got to do is roll our sleeves up and worry about the task in hand of pre-season training.

“It’s rather nice, to tell you the truth. The best thing about pre-season is you spend day in, day out amongst them and you get a really good feeling about each other and how they are.

“They are working really hard and there’s an air of hunger, desire and confidence.

“I don’t think they are feeling any trepidation whatsoever about what’s in front of them.”

The intensity of the players’ programme will be deliberately eased this week after two tough ones as the Bulls build towards their opening friendly at Castleford on Boxing Day.

Kear insists the fitness levels of the squad are where they should be at this stage of pre-season.

He added: “I’ve given (head of strength and conditioning) Adam Simpson certain performance indicators we need to hit for individuals and for groups, whether they are middle men, edge men etc.

“He’s got them well in hand, so I’m really pleased with the job he’s doing and how the players are applying themselves.”