BULLS full-back Jack Walker has admitted he considered packing rugby in altogether less than three months ago.

The 23-year-old is highly thought of in rugby league circles, and his signing in the off-season was considered a huge coup.

But the injury curse that hounded him at his previous club, Leeds Rhinos, struck again just five minutes into his competitive debut for Bradford.

A hamstring injury forced him off in Bulls’ opening day Betfred Championship win against Whitehaven, and kept him out until last weekend’s Challenge Cup fifth round defeat at Halifax.

Bulls, and head coach Mark Dunning in particular, looked out for their new recruit during his 12 weeks on the sidelines, with that care and attention playing a big part in his decision not to quit the sport.

A candid Walker told the T&A: “It was devastating to get that injury to be fair.

“I contemplated packing rugby in because I just hated the stress of having to deal with back to back injuries.

“But Mark put his arm around me and had my back.

“He said I could help out with the coaching side of things while I was out injured and I have to thank the physio, Grace (Lennox), for checking in with me every day.

“The club were really good with me during the 11 or 12 weeks of rehab I had and it’s been nice to feel that warmth, as I’ve not been here long.”

Talking about returning to the side against Halifax, Walker said: “I loved being back after such a long time away.

“I’d not played a full competitive game since being on loan at Hull last August, so it was enjoyable to be out there last Saturday.

“I thought Fax were really good on the night, but we didn’t help ourselves with the amount of errors we made.

“We weren’t really in the arm wrestle, nor did we complete well, so it was a tough day.”

With skipper Michael Lawrence still recovering from his own hamstring injury, another off-season signing from Leeds, Bodene Thompson, led Bulls out at The Shay.

Walker said: “I’ve been close with Bodene ever since he arrived at Leeds.

“He’s great to have around and he brings that NRL experience to the side too.

“But I knew a few of the lads here already before I arrived, so it wasn’t an uncomfortable environment to walk into, and it wouldn’t have been even if Bodene hadn’t signed for the club.”

Like Thompson, Walker is part of Dunning’s designated ‘leadership group’ at Bradford, so it is no surprise the full-back was asked to help out with coaching while he was out injured.

It also meant he could observe the team from the sidelines, with the former Rhinos star reflecting: “It was good to be a coach and watch the matches in that way.

“It was a real eye opener and it allowed me to get to grips with the Championship as a spectator almost.

“It’s one of those though, now I’m back on the field, it’s going to be good to get that experience from a player’s perspective.”