Weather forecast for Bradford on sunday is pretty good ATM



5.7 degees max, virtually no wind or rain.

Mind you, Odsal seems to have its own micro-climate sometimes.

BRADFORD BULLS head coach Francis Cummins has included a quartet of new signings as part of a 24-man squad to face Hull FC this weekend.



Lee Gaskell (pictured above), Adam Henry, Garreth Carvell and Luke George, who have each spent the past three months in pre-season training alongside their Provident Stadium colleagues, are all in-line to debut this weekend as the Bulls make their first appearance of the year.



Also featuring in the friendly action are Rugby League World Cup stars Elliot Kear and Danny Addy, who each impressed during last year's tournament for Wales and Scotland respectively.



Boss Cummins has named a strong squad for Sunday's clash, which is scheduled to get underway at 3pm.



A host of young talent is also to appear, with rising stars Alex Mellor, Oliver Roberts, Nathan Conroy, Sam Wood and under-19s ace Adam Brook all in the frame, as well as Warrington Wolves loanees James Saltonstall and Joe Philbin.



Tickets for the clash are still available both online and over the phone, or from the stadium ticket office, and are priced at £15 (adults), £10 (concessions) and £5 (juniors).



Bradford Bulls squad to face Hull FC on Sunday, January 19 (kick-off 3pm):



Lee Gaskell

Elliot Kear

Adam Henry

Adrian Purtell

Jamie Foster

Jarrod Sammut

Luke Gale

Garreth Carvell

Adam O'Brien

Nick Scruton

Tom Olbison

Danny Addy

James Donaldson

Manase Manuokafoa

Adam Sidlow

Luke George

Nathan Conroy

Alex Mellor

Oliver Roberts

Chev Walker

Sam Wood

Adam Brook

Joe Philbin

James Saltonstall

[url=http://www.bradfordbulls.co.uk/news/article/8812/bulls-new-boys-set-to-debutLINK[/url

It appears that they're named in position order for the first 13, so it looks like Gaskell is going to be at fullback.

Gaskell at FB until BK is fit I would expect.

I'd prefer Kear, with George and Foster on the wings.



Looking at Gaskell last year, his last man 1 on 1 defending was really poor. Kear is safe under the high ball, his tackling is excellent and his attacking play is underrated.

Agreed. Gadkell is a stand off. He could flourish in that position! Massive pre-season for Gale. If he doesn't produce I'd like to see Gaskell and Sammut at 6 & 7. Just hoping Franny making him VC doesn't make him indeapensible at half back.

Didn't Kear recently say in an article that he doesn't want to play fullback?

I agree in that he showed up well in the WC when he played fullback for Wales, but if he'd rather play on the wing then fair enough.



I also think Gaskell deserves a shot at fullback while Kearney is injured. He might not be the best defensively, but he was one of Salford's most consistent attacking threats last season, scored a bunch of tries and won a few motm awards in the process. I'd like to see how he goes at fullback for us, even if it's only in these friendlies.

I too think Kear would be a good option at full-back but I haven't seen Gaskell playing at full-back yet. We have so much versatility this year with players being able to play in multiple positions.

I seem to remember an interview with Kear where he stated that he preferred playing FB, the only thing was FC said his attacking play was a little 'Raw' as he's fairly new to the game - This was last year when Kearney was injured, but Franny went with Foster.

Has ferguson picked up a knock? Only one not in squad and not previously mentioned as injured.



Edit: ferguson and Blythe with knocks. Just seen t&a article. Blythe's cut thumb must be nasty if he's gonna miss all the friendlies. Good news is sounds like BK ok for start of season.

He was also in the T&A in the last week or so though saying he hopes to cement the right wing spot. Said something like he thinks of himself as a fullback really, but he just wants to play one regular position all the time. Will happily fill in for other people, but would like a steady regular place in one position, and right wing was his mention.



Unless I dreamed it.