ADAM O’Brien admits he faces a battle to keep his spot as the Bulls’ starting hooker following the emergence of rookie Joe Lumb.

After the recent home defeat by Sheffield, assistant boss Matt Diskin picked the team for the trip to Dewsbury and made four changes to the 17.

Ross Oakes, Alex Mellor, Ethan Ryan and Lumb came into the starting line-up, with all four men impressing in the 52-18 victory.

O’Brien played his part off the bench in the second half but he accepts he must be on top of his game with Lumb breathing down his neck.

“I think the last time I had started on the bench was against Halifax in the last game of the middle eights last season,” said O’Brien.

“Joe has been training hard and performing when he has had a chance, so you get rewarded in this team if you do that.

“He’s definitely pushing me, so I’ve got to be on my game every week otherwise I’ll lose my spot to him.

“He’s very talented kid who has come through the ranks and it’s competition for me, so I’ve got to perform consistently to push on in my own career.”

O’Brien was one of seven homegrown players in the team at Dewsbury and recently spoke of his desire to stay at Odsal.

He added: “You look at the history of Leeds and the success they enjoyed with that core group of homegrown players.

“That’s what you want as a club and we had seven on the field against Dewsbury and plenty others are pushing through.

“If we can keep that core of the squad together, then it’s looking good for the future.”