BULLS have announced the double signing of former England Youth internationals Coby Nichol and Ajahni "AJ" Wallace from Leeds Rhinos.

Nichol is an aggressive, tall three-quarter - with Wallace a back rower who can also play as a middle.

They both were called up to feature for England’s Youth outfit in a 36-12 win over France in 2019.

The highly-rated duo arrive at Odsal having penned one-year deals and Bradford head coach John Kear has spoken about their potential and how their development will be aided by the reserves competition.

Kear said: “Coby is a really good three quarter, they are blessed with them at Leeds, that’s one of reasons why they released him, with the likes of (Liam) Sutcliffe, (Harry) Newman and the gun centres already there.

“He is still very young and we spoke in great depth to (Leeds’ head of academy) Chev Walker, and Chev does feel he can do a job for us, so he will get that opportunity.

“AJ is a barnstormer. He has great leg speed, confronts people with how he carries and he is very good defensively.

“I am looking to change his position, that is a project for me as I think I can help him achieve his promise by moving him slightly.

“I will have to sell it to him but when he sees the rationale he will take it on board and we may well see a very good player in there.

“Now the pathway is there, the RFL need to be applauded for how they have structured the academy and reserves.

“There are now regular competitive games against other quality men’s teams in reserves and we will see development and emergence, I am certain, from players perhaps we wouldn’t expect.”

Sam Hallas was only 20 when he first came to Bulls from Leeds in 2017, but as reported yesterday, he has now departed.

The Bradford vice-captain was officially unveiled as a Newcastle Thunder player on Tuesday evening, signing a two-year deal with the ambitious North-East side.

Discussing joining Bulls’ championship rivals, Hallas told Newcastle’s club website: “Coming to Newcastle is something really different.

“I’ve had a couple of mates play for Thunder and they have said it is a great club, so I came up and met Freddy (head coach Eamonn O’Carroll) and (director of rugby) Denis Betts and the place just appeals to me.

“It will be a change of pace and one that I am really looking forward to.

“It’s a new and exciting start and I can’t wait to get ripped into pre-season.

“There is an exciting vibe around the place and we as players can push that to build something special.

“I’m a believer in expansion and I think Newcastle is a fantastic place to be doing it and I’m looking forward to representing the club.”

O’Carroll added: “Sam is a chief of the team; he will do all the little one per cent effort areas that spectators might not necessarily see, but that allows other people in the team to do their bit.

“He is efficient in what he does, he’s fit and is a fantastic person and is a signing I was keen to get over the line.”