BULLS have announced the sad news that forward Anthony England has had to retire from the sport due to injury.

The 34-year-old made over 250 appearances in a 16-year career within rugby league - featuring in Super League for the likes of Castleford Tigers, Warrington Wolves and Wakefield Trinity before joining the Bulls.

England was ever present throughout the early stages of the 2020 campaign and impressed before the season was cut short due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Bulls head coach John Kear has paid tribute to England's efforts, not only in the red, amber and black, but in the sport as a whole.

"We are obviously very saddened by the news Anthony has been forced to retire from the game due to injury problems and he will be a big loss to us," said Kear.

"Ant is someone who I got to know well over the years as a person, not just as a player, and he was a real warrior, he always put his body on the line.

"Even in the short time he was with us last year I think the Bradford supporters were impressed by what they saw and it is unfortunate that we could not see more of him in the red, amber and black.

"He has certainly left a legacy with our younger players in the squad, who learned so much from him during his time with us.

"On behalf of everyone at the club I would like to wish Anthony the very best of luck in his retirement and thank him for his services at the Bradford Bulls."

England's absence from the Bulls' squads this season had been officially explained as a knee injury.

But speaking to the T&A earlier this week, just before England's retirement was announced, Kear said: "He's just got a variety of niggling injuries that have accumulated over a length of time.

"That comes after you've had a long career in rugby league. He's had this long period out with lockdown too and it's difficult to just get back to the day to day bump and grind of the sport."