The Bulls have been boosted by a landmark ruling by the European Court of Justice which will wreck plans to reduce the number of overseas players in the British game.

Super League clubs are in the process of bringing down the overseas quota from five to three over the next two years but are now able to by-pass the regulations following a test case earlier this year involving a Slovakian handball player.

The move means that the Bulls' New Zealand internationals Lesley Vainikolo and Joe Vagana are now exempt from the quota, leaving four overseas vacancies to fill.

Already Robbie Paul and Tevita Vaikona are exempt from the quota because of the old five-year residency ruling, leaving Shontayne Hape as their solitary "foreigner".