Local hero Leon Pryce is ready to reject overtures from Twickenham and sign a new deal with Bradford Bulls.

And the Super League leaders are confident that Henry Paul will turn it into a double snub for England's rugby union hierarchy by committing himself to the Bulls' cause within the next fortnight.

The Telegraph & Argus has learned that negotiations with 19-year-old Pryce are close to completion and an announcement could follow as early as next week.

Bulls chief executive Abi Ekoku revealed: "We know for certain that the Rugby Football Union have been in touch with Leon and there has been interest too from other Super League clubs.

"But the talks with us have been going very well and we are confident they will reach a satisfactory conclusion as far as Bulls fans are concerned.

"It is an important decision for Leon, who still has his best years ahead of him, but he is a proud Bradfordian and that has been a big factor for him throughout.

"He wants to be around with the Bulls for the foreseeable future because he is confident that more exciting times lie ahead on the field and with regard to the redevelopment at Odsal."

Pryce was tipped for the top from the moment he arrived at Odsal in 1998 after a glittering junior career with Queensbury, which included captaining the England Schools side.

He made his senior debut at the age of only 16 in the final Super League game of the 1998 season, and in the following campaign established himself as one of the brightest young talents in the British game.

He scored 13 tries to help the Bulls into the 1999 Grand Final and was voted young player of the year by his fellow professionals and at the prestigious Man of Steel awards.

He was selected for the England World Cup squad last year and is a strong contender for a Great Britain spot against the Aussies at the end of the season.

Meanwhile, Ekoku remains optimistic that Henry Paul will also be staying with the Bulls, and said: "The talks with Henry are also looking promising and I would hope we will be in a position to finalise things within the next ten days."