Four Bulls stars have forced themselves into England contention ahead of this year’s Four Nations tournament.

Skipper Andy Lynch, Jamie Langley, Nick Scruton and Paul Sykes all took part in a training camp on Tuesday when a 37-strong national squad were put through their paces by the Royal Marines.

The quartet worked with Steve McNamara for the first time since their former coach departed Bradford last week to take up his role as England chief earlier than expected.

But while Lynch admits it was a welcome boost to be recognised as an England contender, club duties remain his sole focus.

“I think it’s probably most players’ aim to play for England at the end of the season,” said the workhorse prop.

“But my aim now is to get Bradford back into that top eight and back to winning ways. Everything else comes after that.

“If you’re playing well both individually and as a team, the rewards will come from that.”

McNamara insists the group that took part in the camp is not a definitive list of who will come into contention for the Four Nations, which takes place in Australia and New Zealand this autumn.

“We don’t get many opportunities to get the country’s elite players together so the chance to work alongside the Royal Marines was really useful,” he said.

“All the players involved are potential candidates for selection for this year’s Four Nations but that’s not to say the final squad will come from this group. It’s certainly not a definitive list.

“As well as the boys who are playing in Australia, there are many other players to consider. The door remains wide open for anyone to play themselves into contention for selection over the next couple of months.”

Meanwhile, the Bulls have written off a return for prop Danny Sculthorpe before the end of the season.

Sculthorpe suffered another setback in his recovery from a serious bone infection when he was readmitted to hospital earlier this month and has yet to make his Bradford debut after joining from Wakefield last winter.

The 30-year-old is back home and plans to return to training but will not be back to match fitness until next year and could yet need another operation on a disc problem.

St Helens yesterday confirmed the appointment of former Australian Test hooker Royce Simmons as the man to succeed Bradford-bound Mick Potter in the Knowsley Road hot-seat.

The current Wests Tigers and Australia assistant coach will take up the role as Saints’ head coach from next season on a two-year contract.