Bradford Bulls have confirmed their captaincy and squad numbers for the 2026 season, as the squad prepares for their first season in the top flight since 2014.
Kurt Haggerty and his staff have brought in over a dozen players ahead of the new campaign, with 10 of those taking places within the first 13.
Caleb Aekins, Esan Marsters and Ethan Ryan take numbers one, three and five respectively. The club will have a new first-choice halves partnership, with Jayden Nikorima and Rowan Milnes taking starting roles.
Former Wigan man Ryan Sutton returns from Australia to take eight, with ex-Leeds man Andy Ackers taking the nine shirt vacated by Jordan Lilley.
Loghan Lewis (10), Dan Russell (12) and Joe Mellor (13), all of whom worked under Haggerty at Salford in 2025, are the remainder of the new arrivals in the ‘starting’ side.
Former Hull FC man Jayden Okunbor has received a starting jersey, jumping from 37 to two, whilst Sam Hallas moves from 13 to 21. Waqa Blake and Zac Fulton are the only players in the first 13 to keep their number from 2025.
Also from the Championship side, Mitch Souter (14) keeps the same number, whilst there are moves for Ebon Scurr (eight to 16), Joe Keyes (seven to 18) and Ronan Michael (20 to 26), among others.
Rounding out the new signings, Eribe Doro (15), Ed Chamberlain (17), Will Gardiner (19), Brandon Douglas (20), Connor Wynne (23) and Leon Ruan (30) will all be hoping to make their mark on the side when they get their opportunity.
Bradford Bulls confirm 2026 captains
As well as what looks to be a positional switch for the new year, Mellor will also take on the role of captain, with his announcement in the role being confirmed at the club’s launch night on Thursday evening.
A captain on a handful of occasions at Salford Red Devils, the veteran will be the Odsal outfit’s new skipper, with Haggerty opting to have two vice-captains alongside him. The confirmed pair are also new signings, with Sutton and Nikorima being announced as Mellor’s deputies.
Bradford Bulls 2026 squad numbers: 1. Caleb Aekins, 2. Jayden Okunbor, 3. Esan Marsters, 4. Waqa Blake, 5. Ethan Ryan, 6. Jayden Nikorima, 7. Rowan Milnes, 8. Ryan Sutton, 9. Andy Ackers, 10. Loghan Lewis, 11. Dan Russell, 12. Zac Fulton, 13. Joe Mellor, 14. Mitch Souter, 15. Eribe Doro, 16. Ebon Scurr, 17. Ed Chamberlain, 18. Joe Keyes, 19. Will Gardiner, 20. Brandon Douglas, 21. Sam Hallas, 22. Luke Hooley, 23. Connor Wynne, 24. Guy Armitage, 25. Eliot Peposhi, 26. Ronan Michael, 27. Alfie Leake, 28. Jamie Gill, 29. Cameron Bate, 30. Leon Ruan.
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