Just like Leon Pryce last season, Alex Wilkinson is proving the old adage that if you're good enough you're old enough.

The 17-year-old would be going some to match the outstanding acheivements of Pryce but he's already shown enough to suggest that he's got the quality to become the next Odsal youngster to make the demanding Super League grade.

An injury crisis saw him thrust on to the bench for the table-topping clash with Wigan at the JJB Stadium, and although he didn't get on his big chance came against Huddersfield-Sheffield four days later.

And he repaid coach Matthew Elliott's faith with a confident debut, coping superbly with the Giants' bid to rattle him.

At Castleford last week he again stepped off the bench to let no one down in the final half-hour, doing enough to keep his spot against the Reds tomorrow.

"I'm loving it," enthuses Wilkinson. "Last season was my first at the club but Matt (Elliott) brought me into the first team squad at the start of the season and it has been a brilliant experience. I am learning so much.

"I was not thinking about the first team but just looking to continue to improve. Having players like Robbie and Henry alongside side you every day, it is bound to have a positive effect.

"But suddenly we got a couple of injuries and I got the call for the Wigan game. Even though I didn't get on that night it was a great experience to be part of the side on such a big occasion.

"I then made my debut against Huddersfield-Sheffield and that was probably the ideal game to experience Super League for the first time. It was a big day for me but I just tried to treat it like any other and get involved as much as possible.

"It was a lot quicker than I have been used to but with the quality of players around you it does make it much easier to adapt.

"I prefer centre but just like Leon last year the wing is probably a good place to learn your trade in the first team.

"I'll be on the bench tomorrow and obviously it would be great to get another chance, especially against Martin Offiah who has been one of the big names over here in the last few years.

"You have got to concentrate because the sides at the bottom of the table are desperate for points.

"But if we have the right attitude we have to be confident.

"I just have to work at getting better, and having the best coaches and the best players around me you can't really fail to do that."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.