Teenager Jason Crookes admits life at the Bulls is a dream come true.

The 16-year-old only ditched his school books earlier this summer when he completed his GSCEs.

But now he is rubbing shoulders with international stars like Iestyn Harris, Lesley Vainikolo and Paul Deacon having signed on full-time at Grattan Stadium.

Crookes is the envy of his school-mates after landing a spot in Bulls' first-team squad for 2007 having impressed in their Junior Academy last season.

Boss Steve McNamara liked what he saw when the powerful young centre punched above his weight with the Under-18s and didn't think twice about giving the rookie a chance to work with the senior squad on a daily basis.

"I'm loving it," said starry-eyed Crookes, as Harris wanders past in the Rawdon changing room with a little piece of advice for the youngster - "Tell him nothing!"

Crookes, who joined from Hudders-field's Newsome Panthers, where he was coached by former Leeds Rhinos prop Darren Fleary, continued: "The training's been hard but I'm getting used to it and my mates have been really happy for me.

"They know this is what I've always wanted to do (play professional rugby) and now I'm on the way to doing it.

"I never ever thought it would come this quick, training with the first team, but now I must just keep at it and keep learning. I've got to get bigger and fitter. That's what I'm looking for now.

"I'm ripping into pre-season with the rest of the lads and hopefully I can play some 21s this season."