BRAD Gallagher’s rise to prominence has justified the importance of the reserves team for John Kear.

The 20-year-old second row is an ever present this season and scored his first two senior tries in the win over Sheffield.

Kear insists Gallagher’s breakthrough – and that of young prop Ebon Scurr - underlines the role that a strong reserve grade plays for the club.

He said: “It’s the way to develop players. You’ve got a constructive pathway to bring players through into the first team.

“Mark Dunning is doing an excellent job with them and the lads who are playing are really buying into what we’re trying to do.

“You can see it with Brad Gallagher. He featured heavily in the reserves last year and he doesn’t look so bad now in the first team.

“It’s the same with Ebon Scurr. It’s really pleasing to see.

“There are others who have certainly got the ability. It’s whether they have the application so that when they get the opportunity, they seize it just like those two young men have.

"It's another step towards having a meaningful reserve competition and we're happy to play our part in that."