BRADFORD Bulls head coach Eamon O’Carroll admits ensuring Mitch Souter feels comfortable at home in England is more important than any good or bad performance from the hooker.

The 22-year-old has left his native Australia to play rugby league in England for the first time, joining Bulls on a one-year deal, and while there is plenty for him to be excited about, he is likely to face some challenges.

Speaking to the Telegraph & Argus earlier this week ahead of his final game of rugby league for Keighley Cougars against Castleford Tigers, Jake Webster admitted it had taken him two years to adjust to the move to the UK, having joined Hull KR from NRL side Gold Coast Titans just after turning 25.

He also empathised with Josh Martin, who Cougars had brought over from Australia for the upcoming season, only for the 26-year-old to call it quits less than three weeks after signing, citing homesickness and personal reasons for his rapid return Down Under.

With his own young Aussie in the ranks, Bulls head coach O’Carroll said: “First and foremost, I’ve been impressed with how well the club supports all of its players, and backs those words up with actions.

“The care taken with the team and individuals is great.

“With Mitch, I stressed to him before he came over that I’d offer him support with whatever he needed, and the players made contact with him pretty quickly after he landed in the UK.

“They all went out for coffee together and I believe I’m right in saying that a couple of his team-mates have moved in with him for now, which will be good for him while he waits for his partner to arrive in England.

“I’ve obviously moved abroad with a young family to France before, and Catalans would always do things for me, making me feel wanted at the club.

“Bulls do the same, and it makes it feel more like home if a club looks after you in that way.”

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Eamon O'Carroll is growing accustomed to chilly British touchlines again, having moved out to France for his role as Catalans' assistant in the summer of 2022.Eamon O'Carroll is growing accustomed to chilly British touchlines again, having moved out to France for his role as Catalans' assistant in the summer of 2022. (Image: Tom Pearson.)

Souter will not get to test himself against Super League opposition tomorrow against Hull FC, with O'Carroll giving the hooker a well-earned rest.

Hull head coach Tony Smith is not bringing a full-strength side to Odsal, with O’Carroll therefore giving some of his own fringe players a chance.

He said: “We’ve spoken to Hull, so we know they’re bringing some players who are on the outskirts of the first team and need some game time.

“There should be a couple of regular first-teamers too but what I would say is that Hull are a strong club regardless, and I know their reserves and academy were successful last year.

“What you get with young lads, because it’s the case in our squad too, is that they’re hungry to compete for a first-team place, so whoever lines up against us, it should be a really good game.”

O’Carroll has named a 21-man squad for the friendly, saying: “We’re still at an early stage of our pre-season, and there’s still another trial game against Leeds after this anyway.

“We want to use the preparation time we have wisely, so a number of first-teamers will play for us against Hull, but we’ll also get a better look at those who we feel need the game time.

“Some lads that we basically know are going to be part of our regular 17-man squads may not play, but some will because they need the minutes.

“We’re assessing all of that, while also knowing several of our young lads need to feature, because they’ll have an important part to play going forward, in what will be a long season.”