MATTY Blythe says the Bulls squad are reaping the benefits from Gary Dempsey’s appointment as the club’s new strength and conditioning coach.

Dempsey replaced Tom Clough in the role at the end of last season and has been tasked with getting Jimmy Lowes' squad shipshape ahead of the 2015 campaign.

The Northern Irishman made his name north of the border working for the Scottish Rugby Union, which included stints at Glasgow Warriors, Edinburgh RUFC and Scotland women's sides.

He has spent the past four years at the English Institute for Sport, rising to prominence with the England RL Academy team before earning promotion to the senior side.

Blythe, who also pinpointed the influence of assistant coach Karl Harrison, said: “Gary is a highly-respected conditioner and he has come in and made a massive difference already because we are in great shape.

“Everything about pre-season is different this year and we are already seeing the rewards in training.

“Karl Harrison has achieved just about everything in rugby league so he and Jimmy provide a great learning platform for us as players.

“We are massively excited about what next year could bring for us as a squad, we have some new faces who have freshened the group up.

“We have three Super League friendlies before we get down to business in the Championship and they represent a good test for us to find our level.

“Morale is good, we are working in a great atmosphere and that can only bode well ahead of life in the Championship next season.”