JAMES Mendeika's surprise switch to the Bulls from Featherstone has necessitated a change in his regular routine.

Having returned to the full-time professional ranks, he now no longer trains in the evening but gets stuck in to a pile of academic coursework.

The 23-year-old utility back, who progressed through the youth system at Warrington, is studying for a Masters degree in applied sport and exercise science at Sheffield Hallam University.

It could open the door for him to become a strength and conditioning coach further down the line – but he also has interest in working in the media and coaching.

From speaking to Mendeika, it is clear he is not your average rugby league player.

"Going full-time at Bradford has put a slight spanner in the works in terms of getting my MSc completed as soon as I wanted to," he said.

"I was hoping to graduate in September of this year but I've got a couple of extensions on things and then a dissertation to do.

"I need something to fall back on when my rugby career is over. I've got personal training qualifications and other vocational qualifications but I think I needed some higher-level education behind me as well.

"It's day-time training at the Bulls and I've got my evenings back again, which is great because it allows me to crack on and study at night."

In order to complete his course, Mendeika must carry out a research-based dissertation which could involve practical work at the Bulls.

"My dissertation is rugby-based and is entitled 'the effects of repeated cold water immersion on professional rugby league players', he explained.

"It's to see if there is any benefit on the physical recovery markers of rugby players if you do it once or twice.

"It's common practice in rugby to get in the ice bath after a game and the next day. I'm really interested as to whether that has the physiological benefit for players, as I'm being put through it myself.

"I need to ask the conditioning staff whether they would be happy to let me assess the players here – but I think it's common recovery practice anyway and would be quite easy to fit in."

Mendeika, who is engaged to girlfriend Emily Ball, is certainly making provisions for the future.

He said: "I'm doing my Masters with the primary aim of becoming a strength and conditioning coach. That's probably still the plan for now at least.

"I'd like to be involved in sport in some aspect on the conditioning side. I'm interested in giving athletes a training programme – but then, I'm also interested in working in the media.

"I've covered a Challenge Cup game for local radio and I've also done coaching with Ireland under-19s as assistant manager. I'm keen to learn and branch out as much as possible."

Yet Mendeika's overriding aim is to help the Bulls to promotion after becoming reunited with Jimmy Lowes.

He progressed through the youth ranks at home-town club Warrington and played full back, centres and halves through the age groups. Last week he was given a contract by Bradford until the end of 2017.

Mendeika never made a first-team appearance for Warrington but did play in Super League on loan at London Broncos.

He spent time on dual registration with Swinton in 2013 before going on loan to London and then followed the Wolves' former youth development manager John Bastian to Featherstone for the 2014 campaign.

Mendeika, an Ireland international who represented the Wolfhounds at the 2013 World Cup, said: "Jimmy gave me my first chance at Warrington in pre-season friendlies with the first-team squad.

"That opened my eyes as to what I could have in terms of being a full-time rugby league player, which I am now.

"To come back and work with him is great. He lets his players play, as long as you earn the right to play. If you put the effort in, then I don't think there is a better coach to work under."

Mendeika struggled for game-time under Featherstone coach Andy Hay this season but is raring to go and should make his Bulls debut against Halifax in this weekend's Summer Bash.

"The club have been really good to me and my aim is to help Bradford progress and hopefully get back into Super League," he said.

"I'm here to learn, develop and get better but also help us to put in the performances needed to get to the next level.

"I think that's why they signed me – because they think I can perform at a higher level and I believe I can too.

"I want to be a Super League player as much as Bradford want to be a Super League club, so to do it together would be amazing.

"I've not had as much game-time as I would have liked at Featherstone this season and there has been chopping and changing there.

"But I'm raring to go this weekend if selected. I played in a Magic Weekend game for London Broncos and I'd love to be involved at Blackpool on Saturday."