Originally a rugby union player, he made his
England début against
Ireland in 1988 aged 21 and played on the summer tour against
Australia. After training as a police officer he switched codes from rugby union, which was then an amateur game, to rugby league, where he became a professional. He played for
Leeds, before moving on to
Halifax, as well as enjoying a short spell in Australia with
Balmain Tigers. He played for
Great Britain, and for England in the
1995 Rugby League World Cup When rugby union became openly professional in 1995, Bentley returned to the code, signing for
Newcastle Falcons in 1996. He made 3 appearances as they won their first and so far only
Premiership title in 1998. He was selected for the
1997 British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa, where he played in the second and third Tests. After the tour he played twice more for England at rugby union before switching back to rugby league with
Huddersfield Giants. He was inducted into the Halifax Hall of Fame ==References==