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Leeds Rhinos: I'll be a Super stand-in - Watkins
Young gun Kallum Watkins has put his hand up to act as Leeds Rhinos' emergency full-back this year.
The 19-year-old will switch back into the centres for Sunday's pre-season match at Whitehaven, which could see Greg Eastwood make his long-awaited debut for Leeds.
Watkins played at full-back in Matt Diskin's testimonial game against Bradford last weekend, after Brent Webb withdrew due to a minor knee problem.
Webb is expected to be available for Rhinos' engage Super League opener at Crusaders in a week's time, but full-back is one position where they don't have obvious strength in depth.
Lee Smith left at the end of last season and young prospect Ben Jones-Bishop has joined Harlequins on a year-long loan deal, leaving Rhinos without specialist cover for Webb.
Scott Donald could fill in there if necessary, but Watkins revealed he played as a full-back during his junior days and he's ready to fill the void if called upon.
"I played there when I was an amateur," he said. "I got noticed by Leeds playing there, but as soon as I joined the academy they changed me into a winger or centre.
"I'd stick my hand up if needed. I can play centre, wing or full-back.
"Bluey (coach Brian McClennan) has been talking about me playing full-back, he gave me the chance last week and he said I did well."
Watkins is willing to "play anywhere" if it means a first team chance.
"Anywhere in the back-five will do me," he said.
"I've played many different positions and I thought it went all right last weekend. I did a fair bit of running and a fair number of carries.
"It's just a case of getting used to that position – and the other players getting used to me in that position.
"Bluey told me to look for the ball as much as I can. That's what I did and it was good to be out there."
Watkins made 14 senior appearances last season and is determined to build on that in 2010.
"Pre-season has been good," he said. "I'm getting stronger now and I've been working on my skills.
"Bluey has told me to do that – my grip on the ball and stuff like that.
"It has helped and I'm hoping to get a few more games than last year.
That's my target, just to keep improving and keep developing as a player."
Meanwhile, Eastwood has been named in Rhinos' squad for Sunday's game at the Recreation Ground, subject to a positive scan on the hand he broke playing for New Zealand last autumn.
Ian Kirke is in line for his first pre-season appearance following ankle surgery at the end of last season and Ryan Bailey could also feature, if he passes a fitness test on a neck injury.
Other first team squad members set to play this weekend are Luke Burgess, Jay Pitts, Paul McShane and Luke Ambler, plus prop Kyle Amor, who was signed from Whitehaven and fellow recruit Michael Coady.
Leeds' squad: from Bush, Chisholm, Coady, Watkins, Cruickshanks, Carvill, Carroll, Burgess, McShane, Amor, Kirke, Pitts, Clarkson, Ambler, Bailey, Hood, Bravo, Stewart, Singleton, Eastwood.
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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