Steve McNamara admits he feels born again after becoming the new Bulls head coach.

Aged just 34, he becomes the youngest boss in Super League following his succession of Brian Noble at Odsal yesterday.

That is no problem for McNamara though and he admits it has given him an extra spring in his step: "I'm really pleased, it makes me feel young again," said the new chief, promoted from assistant following Noble's Wigan switch.

"At the back end of your playing career, you're always called veteran' but suddenly I'm young once more!

"That's fantastic and it's not an issue. I'm really delighted to be given the opportunity here and it's just so exciting.

"That's the big word for me exciting. It's a great chance for me in my first job but it's one I'm confident of doing well and I'm looking forward to getting on with it."

After speaking to the players, McNamara took charge of training for the first time yesterday following a turbulent week off the pitch for the champions.

The protracted saga of Noble's move had caused plenty of unrest for the club and McNamara admits it wasn't the way in which he had envisaged his mentor departing.

McNamara himself turned down the Hull FC job three weeks ago believing he would succeed Noble at the end of the season.

But now he has been thrust into the hot seat earlier than expected following his predecessor's controversial exit.

"The circumstances surrounding the switch has tinged it for me personally with Brian's own situation. The timing isn't ideal and a lot of things have been said and written but I spoke to the players this morning and that's everything done and dusted.

"Now we're looking at going to Warrington on Sunday, getting the job done and getting out of there."

McNamara, who was in the Bulls team which won the Super League title in 1997 having joined from Hull, praised close friend Noble for taking him under his wing and preparing him for such a massive appointment.

"I couldn't have wished for a better tutor," he admitted.

"Brian brought me to the club on to the coaching staff two and a half years ago and he has been fantastic throughout that period and I've learned so much.

"He's always been there to offer words and advice and all the thanks in the world go to Nobby for giving me that opportunity."

The former Great Britain loose forward has worked under and with some notable names including the Bulls' Aussie pair Brian Smith and Matthew Elliott as well as Leeds Rhinos' Tony Smith.

"Brian Smith said to me once that I was messing about as a player and I was just biding my time until I was old enough to be a coach!

"It's something I've always wanted to do. I was fortunate to sign for Hull FC as a 17-year-old being under Brian Smith straight away "He was the first big Aussie influence on the English game and I was able to get in good habits straight away."

McNamara follows a long line of Odsal coaches appointed from within and he is sure the squad can carry on from where Noble left off.

"They've been really receptive and they are a great bunch," he said.

"It's been a really tough situation over the last week for everyone concerned but the players have probably come out of it with more credit than any. They've put in two resounding performances and now they need to do the same at Warrington."

McNamara will take the Senior Academy side as usual tomorrow. They are in action at Warrington and additions to the coaching staff if any won't be discussed until after the weekend.