The Bulls have had their hand forced in taking a gamble on youth but the necessary risk is currently reaping significant reward.

Pushed to ignore his instincts by a crippling injury situation, coach Steve McNamara has handed Super League debuts to four different players during the past four games. Initially the plan had been to break them in gradually but the time for patience has passed.

Lacking the resources of many of their rivals, Bradford entered the campaign with the smallest senior squad in the top flight, including just 18 players over the age of 20.

As a result, a spate of injuries was always likely to hit them hard and their recent run of wretched luck has changed the complexion of the season.

The defeats have begun to stack up, five straight at the latest count, but the Bulls’ rookies have still coped better than anyone could have imagined.

Slight 18-year-old scrum half Cain Southernwood was the latest to make his bow in last week’s defeat to Warrington, while Steve Crossley, Joe Wardle, Tom Olbison and Danny Addy have all featured in recent weeks.

That’s without counting 20-year-old Elliott Whitehead and 18-year-old James Donaldson, currently long-term injured, who have both become first-team regulars this season. All things considered, the future holds rich promise.

“In an ideal world, I wouldn’t throw that many in at the same time,” said McNamara.

“To use Cain as an example, it would be great to have an Andy Lynch or a Jamie Langley or Matt Orford alongside him but it wasn’t meant to be. Sometimes you get thrust into a situation and you have to deal with it.

“It’s great to have this many youngsters coming through but, at the same time, you wouldn’t want a side full of 18-year-olds. It’s about balance. Sometimes that balance gets taken out of your hands, certainly it has at the moment.”

McNamara has invested heavily in the development of young talent, possibly more so than many of his Super League coaching counterparts.

A strong personal touch has helped lure a string of starlets to the club – when signing Donaldson, McNamara made the trip to Cumbria himself to visit the rookie recruit on his family farm – but the Bulls boss credits head of youth development Paul Medley and player performance manager Stuart Barrow for much of the progress.

At Odsal, talent development is seen as an obligation rather than an afterthought and the fact that last week’s team against Warrington had an average age of less than 25 provides vindication for that approach.

McNamara said: “Youth development’s been a necessity. I enjoy that side of things and I enjoy helping out Paul Medley and Stuart Barrow, who have both done a great job.

“It’s vital for the long-term viability of the organisation and it was the only option, to invest in the development of young players.

“When you think of the kids we had out there and then throw in James Donaldson and Joe Wardle as well, who both missed out through injury, then the future looks bright.

“Then you’ve got several players waiting for their chance – the Burgess twins, Andy Tate and 16-year-old Adam O’Brien, who’s progressing really well and I believe will become one of the best hookers in the competition in years to come. There’s the basis of an outstanding team there.”

Talent development will also form a large part of McNamara’s remit when he leaves Odsal to become full-time England coach at the end of the campaign and he believes it is now easier than ever for young players to earn their big break in Super League.

Quota rules will require clubs to include at least eight home-grown players in their squad next year and a maximum of just five overseas players, with the rest being federation-trained.

“The limit on overseas players is making it easier for young players to make it in Super League,” said McNamara.

“There are a whole lot more spots available for young players and clubs realise they have to invest in their academy systems.

“The future’s bright for the Bulls and in terms of England rugby league and there’s a new, more professional approach.”

The challenge now for Bradford’s academy graduates is avoiding the second-season syndrome.

McNamara said: “There’s a whole lot of components that you need to play well in Super League – and not just to play well, but to play well consistently. That’s the challenge.

“The opposition get to know about players, learn their strengths and weaknesses, and you see it quite often when someone has a tremendous start to their career and then struggles down the line.

“There’s a little bit of everything in terms of adapting to Super League. There’s the speed and quality of the game, as well as the mental side of the game.

“There’s all sorts of bits and pieces but it’s experience and ultimately, they only get that from playing.”