A SORE Anthony England had just about recovered enough from a bruising encounter at Headingley on Sunday to discuss how impressed he has been by his new teammates in pre-season.

The prop forward was a real marquee signing for Bulls over the winter, dropping down a division after signing from Super League side Wakefield Trinity.

He has no qualms about playing Championship rugby though, admitting that he has enjoyed his start to life at Bradford, even if there is a bit of an age gap to most of his teammates.

Asked if things had gone well at Bulls for him personally so far, the Dewsbury-born 33-year-old said: "Absolutely, I've fitted in really well. I'm looking forward to the season and getting back into it, playing regularly and just cracking on with it."

Discussing whether he had been impressed with the team's youngsters, he said: "You can't just single out a couple of players (that are doing well). I think it's a collective, as they're all fairly young in the team.

"It's a progression as a team, rather than just a few individuals. But it's definitely improving."

England did make an exception to the collective when talking about young hooker Tom Doyle, who scored a fine second half-try against the Rhinos when he ducked under a couple of challenges close in to score.

He said: "Doyley does that a fair bit in training so he's obviously been practicing it and he's pulled it off, so well done Tom."

It is a surprise England even remembers that score, given that he was still recovering from a hefty blow late in the first half from one of Rhinos' most imposing backs, Tongan centre Konrad Hurrell.

The Bulls prop, who had to undergo a concussion test before returning to the field after the break, took it all in his stride.

He laughed: "I just took a knock. Koni (Konrad) Hurrell has got a massive head and I came off second best, but that's all it was, just a knock."

England added: "It was an honour for me and the rest of the boys to play in a game like that. Especially for some of these young lads, who probably haven't played in front of crowds like that.

"It's good too see Leeds v Bradford sell out again too."