Although you may not have actually seen him through the dense fog, Matt Cook did make his first start for the Bulls on Friday night.

"Yeah, I set up five of our tries, scored two and made 60 tackles!" laughed the 19 year-old, after emerging from a mist-shrouded Odsal.

The second-rower didn't quite have that impact but he proved to Brian Noble he is ready to step up to the champions' starting line-up.

After coming off the bench 13 times over the last two seasons, the former England Under-19s rugby union star has shown plenty of potential with his tigerish defence and aggressive running.

And he demonstrated just the same qualities as he tore into confidence-zapped Wigan.

"I was a bit nervous to start with but once I'd got that first defensive set out all the nerves went," he said.

"I felt great and treated it just like an like an Under-21s match."

The shambolic conditions - most supporters couldn't see half the pitch due to the mist - weren't what you would expect from the summer game.

Cook admitted: "It reminded me of my days in rugby union - I was just waiting for one of those luminous balls they use to come out!

"I've been used to it in the past but still it wasn't great to play in.

"When you were on the right side you could never see who had scored out on the left. You'd be jogging over there to shake hands without knowing whose to shake!

"The team effort was really good though."

The highly-rated teenager sees 2006 as the year when he must start properly fulfilling his potential.

With Great Britain back-rower Paul Johnson struggling with injury and former Aussie Test forward Brad Meyers also out for at least another month, there is an opening for someone to step into the breach for the Bulls.

And Cook is ready to fight those senior men even when they return.

"It would be nice to secure a starting spot in the line-up," he said.

"I don't know how long Johnno will be out or whether Nobby might even look to start me before him.

"But as long as I'm definitely getting a bench spot that's what I'm after.

"I've just got to keep working really hard and keep knocking on the door, sending the message."

The former Saracens man is

hoping to retain his spot for the Powergen Challenge Cup clash with Hull on Saturday.

"I know the fans are really looking forward to this and so are we," said Cook.

"There's a chance of getting to Wembley. I definitely want to play a part in that."