If you're feeling sorry for yourselves because Bradford Bulls are in the Algarve rather than at Apperley Bridge, then perhaps it is time to think again.

"It's freezing here in Vilamoura," said Bulls prop Stuart Fielden this weekend from their 'warm-weather' training camp in Portugal.

"The temperature is about five degrees, but at least it is giving us the chance to practice on grass rather than on something that is wet and muddy.

"And anyway, we haven't come out here to get a good tan!"

The Bulls - the first club to use a complex that has been specifically set up for rugby players - arrived last Thursday lunch-time having caught an early flight from manchester.

Fielden added: "The first day was pretty much a get-yourself-sorted day as we were given our schedules for the nine days and did some weight training.

"But ever since then the days have been full-on, starting at 9.30am and finishing at 9pm.

"There has been a mixture of training on the pitch, weights and lectures.

"The facilities are very good, and the pitch, which is full-sized, is brilliant."

Gavin Wightman, of Bradford-based CTi Sport, who have arranged the Bulls' trip, says: "This complex is the best I have seen.

"The pitch alone has undergone a £1m improvement,

surpassing all international standards, and there is a state-of-the-art gymnasium with Olympic weights."