JOHN Bastian believes Bulls rookie Joe Brown has "every chance" of making the grade at first-team level at Odsal following his victorious international debut.

Full back Brown, who hails from Horsforth, earned a call-up to the England Academy side for last Friday's game against France under-18s at Warrington's Halliwell Jones Stadium.

Brown lined up on the wing and helped England's young guns to a resounding 52-20 victory – and Bulls head of youth Bastian is tipping the 17-year-old former Stanningley junior to continue his rise to prominence.

"We've obviously had Cameron Scott with the England under-16s this year and to have Joe Brown progress into the England Academy team is equally pleasing," said Bastian.

"It's recognition of all the hard work from Joe, his team-mates and all the coaching staff who are putting a lot of time and effort into the development of junior players.

"Joe didn't break into the under-19s straight away, he had a fair bit of learning to do, but he had a good year in the under-16s under the guidance of Leigh Beattie.

"He still needed some guidance to develop some areas of his game and in fairness, Brandon Pickersgill has been playing particularly well at full back, so Joe has had to bide his time.

"When he's got his opportunity, he's certainly taken it with both hands and done really well.

"I think he's got every chance to push into the first-team squad if he continues to work hard and develop as he is doing. He needs to continue learning about his position and how the head coach, Rohan Smith, wants him to play.

"I see him progressing into the first-grade squad, hopefully within the next couple of years. He's 17 and he was another of those late developers who we signed from Stanningley.

"I think everyone else missed him but myself and Robin Sharp went to watch Joe four or five times and he kept doing little things that were classy and that most coaches can't coach.

"Joe has certainly got some of those star skill factors that you look for in a player when you're watching games. He's also a really good person and very well supported by his parents."

Academy graduates Joe Lumb and Ethan Ryan became full-time first-team squad members this season, while under-19 prospects Ross Oakes and Jacob Trueman have both made their senior debuts in recent weeks.

Five or six of the homegrown products being nurtured in the Bulls academy are expected to make the step up into the first-team squad next season.

Bulls head coach Smith is a noted advocate of junior development and Bastian is encouraged by the Australian's philosophy.

"Rohan has obviously got a lot to things to look at and will be feeling his way around the club – but you certainly see he is very professional and pro-active with the juniors," said Bastian.

"He's already stated that the junior set-up is going to be a big part of the club going forward, which is important. When you have lads who have come through your own system and culture, it bodes so well for the future."

Meanwhile, Beattie is in line to step up from under-16s coach to succeed Matt Diskin as under-19s boss at the end of the season.

Diskin, who doubles as the Bulls' first-team assistant coach, is leaving Odsal at the end of the campaign and will take over as Batley's head coach in October.