An Australian second row forward nicknamed "Pig Dog", because of his ferocious style of play, signed for the London Broncos this week as the squad prepared for the Super League Roadshow match against the Bradford Bulls in Edinburgh.

Shane Millard, who is just 23 years old and has come highly recommended from his South Sydney Club, is not yet in the UK but is expected to debut against Wigan on August 7.

Team building is unlikely to bring more big names to the club - despite the Broncos being linked with southern hemisphere stars like Alfie Langer, Kerrod Walters and even legendary Kiwi winger Jonah Lomu - as they have to stay within their salary cap.

The club have stated they would rather bring in three players for the price of one superstar. This season has shown that big names do not guarantee success and the Broncos are often mystified by the contacts rumoured in the press with these players - although most occur when they are negotiating new contracts with their current clubs.

Millard is considered to be the sort of player which the team is looking for and who coach Tony Currie feels could help turn around a disappointing first half of the season in which they have won just five games. At present they are outside the top five play-off positions.

"Shane is the type of player I am after: young, tough and hungry to just play rugby league," said Currie.

And he promised that more players would be released in the coming weeks - the latest to go was front row forward Roger Best this week.

The squad was almost at full strength during training at St Mary's College in Teddington on Tuesday, with Grant Young back from a broken hand and Glen Air recovered from a knee injury.

And the four players already signed this season, Shaun Edwards, Chris Chesney, Bart Williams and Rob Smythe were settling in well.

Edwards and Smythe have been named in the team to play on Saturday at the Tynecastle stadium, a game which Edwards, signed three weeks ago from Bradford is looking forward to.

Disagreement

"With the players back from injury and well rested we can put up a good fight and send the Bulls back to Bradford with their tails between their legs," said the British Lions scrum-half. If was a disagreement between Edwards and the reigning Super League champions that prompted his return to London.

And Currie is aware of the influence that Edwards, who made his debut in the win over Hull in the last home league game, could have on the game and the rest of the season.

"It is great to have the selection of the current squad available, We have done it tough to date but I feel this is one of the best teams we have fielded, especially with the little general Shaun Edwards back to lead the troops.

"The importance of this game is that it can kickstart our finals campaign. The team could not be better prepared and are looking forward to travelling to Edinburgh this week."

The only two squad members still injured, Martin Offiah and Steve Roselen, are nearing full fitness and are expected to be back for the Wigan game which the Comet will, in conjunction with the Broncos and Fosters, be offering cut-price tickets and crates of beer in a competition for our readers.

Read next week's Comet for details.

Broncos squad for tomorrow's game:

Mat Toshack, Wes Cotton, Chris Ryan, John Timu, Rob Smythe, Tulsen Tollett, Shaun Edwards, Grant Young, Robbie Beazley, Mark Carroll, Peter Gill (capt.) Steele Retchless, Terry Matterson, subs: Matt Dunford, Matt Salter, Ady Spencer, Glen Air.

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