LEIGH Beattie is tipping Matthew Storton to become the latest Bulls young gun to make his mark in the first team.

Bradford head to the south of France for this evening's Kingstone Press Championship clash with high-flying Toulouse Olympique.

And part of their 19-man squad for the first time is 18-year-old Storton – another of the club's Under-19s stars ready to mix it with the big boys.

James Bentley and Evan Hodgson are among the teenagers to have already impressed at senior level this campaign.

And interim head coach Beattie – also coach of the Under-19s – is tipping back rower Storton to make a similar impact.

"Matthew Storton has cracking potential and might get an opportunity to show his skills this weekend," he said.

"If we do pick Matty that will be ten players who have played this season from last year's and this year's Under-19s. Four of them can still play Under-19s.

"That's massive for us as a club and shows that our Academy is working.

"Matthew missed all of pre-season with a hamstring injury and had a major operation on it, but he has come back fighting fit.

"He could get a chance to play first team at 18 years old – you can't ask for any more than that."

On the Bulls' reliance on youth this season, Beattie continued: "I think the young lads have done an outstanding job.

"If you constantly play week-in, week-out, it takes a toll on their body, but look at James Bentley. He has played nearly every game this season and been outstanding.

"He was a hooker in the '19s and we have put him in the back row and he has kicked on.

"You can see how quickly these boys have matured in such a short space of time. There is only one way for some of these lads and that is up."