Luke Gale believes success at Bradford could elevate him from the England Knights side into Steve McNamara’s senior squad.

The classy half-back has been handed the No 7 shirt by coach Mick Potter for the 2012 campaign, strongly suggesting he is in pole position to start the season as first-choice scrum half.

Having joined the Bulls on a two-year deal from Harlequins, Gale is brimming with confidence after two recent outings for the newly-formed Knights in victories against France and Cumbria.

Gale underlined his quality with tries in both games and says he has been buoyed by training with England’s elite squad.

Now he has set his sights on being among such exalted company on a regular basis.

Leeds-born Gale, 23, said: “Is there a desire to make the full England squad? Of course there is. It’s every young English lad’s dream to play for his country.

“If I have a big season then hopefully I can get my face in that full England squad.

“Being with the Knights was a fantastic experience. You are training with the elite squad, alongside the likes of Kevin Sinfield, Rangi Chase and Sam Tomkins.

“That was great and hopefully in a year or two I can be up there with the likes of them in the senior side.”

Gale was quickly acclimatised to life at Bradford following his spell in the capital.

Although he can play stand-off, Gale sees himself as a scrum half and could resume a half-back partnership with Kyle Briggs that began during their youth in the Leeds academy and continued at Doncaster and briefly at Harlequins.

Gale said: “I’ve played No 7 all my career really. Some teams play split-halves but scrum half is my favourite position and that’s where I played for the Knights.

“The players I’ve always admired are Andrew Johns, Danny McGuire and Kevin Sinfield.

“I’m quite good mates now with Danny Mags and some of the tries he has scored have been unbelievable. He seems to score 20 tries every year and is a brilliant player. I used to like Andy Farrell for England too.”

Gale added: “This season at Bradford it’s about consistently playing well, week in and week out, and managing the team and bossing them around the park – and getting back into the top eight, of course.

“Working with the quality of players here can only improve you. The squad is looking good for next season.”