BULLS head coach Mark Dunning is delighted to see George Flanagan Sr flourishing this season, with the veteran hooker having inadvertently benefitted from Jack Walker's misfortune.

Scrum-half Jordan Lilley started both of Bulls' friendlies as their number nine, as well as their win in the opening league fixture over Whitehaven.

But an early injury for full-back Walker that day forced a reshuffle, and Flanagan has started every game since.

He was superb in Bulls' shock Betfred Championship win over Toulouse last Saturday, a try and forcing a late yellow card out of the visitors after a rare turn of pace just two of his individual highlights.

Dunning said: "George is a valuable member of the squad and it helps that he's playing well.

"He didn't feature in the way he wanted against Whitehaven, but he was committed to working hard regardless and that's showing in his performances.

"Does he starts every game going forward? Probably not, but we're pleased to see him on this current run of form."

Reflecting on last Saturday's win, Dunning said: "I'm not sure it's elevated moods, but it has cemented things.

"We had the belief we could produce a performance like that but it was good to see it actually come to fruition.

"It's not important to myself or the players what other teams think of us after that win, we can just let them talk.

"It's about us progressing further and putting smiles on our fans' faces.

"We've made a commitment to them and want to give them a team to relate to.

"I think we showed that last Saturday by getting our elbows and knees dirty and upsetting a full-time team."

Bulls will visit leaders Featherstone on Monday without Brad England, the forward missing with a thumb issue.

Dunning said that Walker is recovering well from his hamstring injury, but confirmed that Masi Matongo will be out for months with his dislocated shoulder.

Young half-back Billy Jowitt dislocated his shoulder last summer, but made a welcome comeback for Bulls' reserves against Leeds on Thursday night.

Prop Marcus Green also made his return from a thumb injury in that game against the Rhinos.